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I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I 

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# Xv^ i 

I UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. { 



B/iv^. gw?^, M^^tMM^,l^^^ 



THE 



^IBLE PKAYEH-BOOK. 



tUtUl anb Irrangel 



BY JOSEPH WELKER, 

A Minister of fhe Evangelical Lutheran Church. 







COPYRiGHT'' 

No.Zirz/ .^ 


''V ; 


SHIPPENVILLE, 


PA.: 






PUBLISHED BY THE 


AUTHOR. 




PHILADELPHIA: 






DANIELS & SMITH, No. 36 N. 
I8 60. 


SIXTH ST. 





\J^ 



^^ 



P ^4- 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by 

JOSEPH WELKER, 

in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United 
States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 






to 



RECOMMENDATION 



>^ 

Z REV. S. S. SCHMUCKER, D. D., 

PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY IN THE THEOLOGICAL 
SEMINARY, GETTYSBURG. 

Rev. and Dear Sir : — 

I HAVE perused, with no less interest than pleasure, a con- 
siderable portion of the manuscript, which you put into my 
hands. The conception of the plan exhibits a mind imbued 
with the spirit of devotion, whilst the execution, as a whole, 
evinces no ordinary degree of judgment, industry, and fami- 
liarity with the lively oracles of our heavenly Father. The 
method of the celebrated commentator, Henry, in his work 
on Prayer, to arrange detached passages of Scripture under 
the general topics or heads appropriate to prayer, is probably 
better for ministers of the gospel. But the plan which you 
have adopted, of so connecting the scripture passages as to 
construct entire prayers in the very words of inspiration, is a 
decided improvement for popular purposes, and calculated to 
be more extensively useful among Christians generally of all 
ages and sexes. Henry has, indeed, annexed several connect- 
ed prayers ; but they are too few in number for general pur- 
poses, and not exclusively in the language of Scripture. 

The plan of your divisions, being amply carried out, fur- 
nishes prayers for all the ordinary necessities of Christian 
experience; and one of the numerous, pleasing impressions, 
made by its perusal, is, how extremely copious the good 

(3) 



4 RECOMMENDATION. 

word of God is, in petitions adapted to all the various circum- 
stances of human life. Prayer is one of the richest channels 
of appointed blessings to man ; and long as they Uve, should 
Christians cherish the spirit of prayer. Every attempt to 
faciUtate the faithful and profitable discharge of this duty, 
therefore deserves encouragement. And though fully persuaded 
of the inutility of the constant and exclusive use of forms 
of prayer, especially in public worship ; I have no doubt, that 
the perusal of prayers in private, and their occasional use in 
social worship, especially in the devotion of the family, may 
be attended by a happy influence. 

Without supposing that your selections may not in some 
instances admit of improvement, I regard them excellent as a 
whole, and cordially commend the work to the favour of the 
friends of Zion. Trusting that the great Head of the church, 
will crown with abundant blessings these Prayers, which his 
own Spirit indited. 

I remain, affectionately, 
Your Brother in Christ 

s. s. schmuckeb. 

Rev. Mr. Welker, 



DEDICATED 

TO ALL 
"WHO im EVERT PLACE CALL UPOJf THE XAME OF 

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, 

OUT OF A SINCERE HEART. 
FERVENTLY, 

BY THE AUTHOR. 



1* (5) 



TABLE OP CONTENTS. 



PART I. 

Prayers of the Awakened Sinner, • • • 14 
Prayers of the Anxious Sinner, . • • .17 

Prayers of the Turnini^ Sinner, ... 20 

Praise and Thanksgiving of the Converted Sinner, 21 

Praise of the Happy Christian, ... 25 

Prayer of the Christian for Preservation from Sin, 26 

Prayers of the Doubting- Christian, ... 27 

Supplications of the Christian alarmed with fears . 28 
Solemn Entreaties of the Christian, with God 

under the Hidings of his Face, . . .31 
Agonizing Prayers of the Christian who has fallen 

into gross Sin, 34 

Praise and Thanksgiving for Restoration to God's 

favour, 39 

Prayers for God's Continued Grace, . . 40 

(7) 



8 CONTENTS. 

Prayers for Spiritual Light in reading God's Word, 43 
Prayers and Praise of the Christian before Com- 
munion, 45 

Praise of the Christian going to Communion after 

a severe Sickness, 47 

Confidence in God, .••••• 49 

Adoration, ..••••.. 50 

Adoration of Christ, 54 

Praise and Thanksgiving at the Remembrance of 

God's Mercies, 55 

Prayers for Deliverance from Enemies, . . 59 
Praise and Thanksgiving for Deliverance from 

enemies, ....••• 63 

Prayer in great Losses, 68 

Prayers in great Bodily afflictions, . . . 69 
Prayers of those who by Sickness are deprived of 

the Privileges of God's House, . . .76 

Praise and Thanksgiving for Restoration to Health, 79 

Prayers of the Poor, 82 

Prayers of an Orphan, 83 

Praise for Divine Protection amid the trials of Do- 
mestic Life, 89 

Morning Prayers, 91 

Evening Prayers, 96 

Prayers at Meals, 98 

Prayers of Church or Civil Officers, . • • 101 

Prayers of a Minister, 103 



CONTENTS. 9 

Prayer when about to take a Journey, . . 106 

Prayers on a Journey or in a distant Land, . . 107 

Prayers of the Aged, 112 

Prayers and Thanksgiving of the dying Christian, 115 

PART 11. 

RELATIVE PRAYERS. 

Prayers for Relatives, 121 

Prayers for such as have rendered acts of Kindness, 122 
Prayers for Brethren in Christ, • . . 123 

Prayers for an Anxious Sinner, • • • • 125 

SECOND DIVISION OF 

PART II. 

SOCIAL PRAYERS. 

Prayers and Thanksgiving at the commencement 

of Public Worship, 129 

Prayers and Thanksgiving at the conclusion of Pub- 
lic Worship, 132 

Prayers of the Church in a low State, . * . 135 

Prayers and Praise of the Church in a state of 
Revival 146 

Prayers of the Church in times of Persecution, 150 



10 CONTENTS. 

THIRD DIVISION OF 

PART II. 

NATIONAL PRAYERS. 

National Prayers and Supplications for Deliverance 

from foreign Foes, 159 

National Confession of Sin, .... 160 
National Prayers in times of War, . . . 163 

Praise and Thanksgiving for Deliverance, . 168 

Prayers in time of Famine, 171 

Prayers in time of Pestilence, .... 175 
National Praise and Acknowledgment of God's 

goodness. ....•., 177 



PAET I. 



(11) 




OUB Father, who art in heaven, 

HALLOWED BE THY NAME: ThY KING- 
DOM COMB : THY WILL BE DONE IN 
EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN I GiVE US 
THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD: AnD 
FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE 
OUR DEBTORS : AnD LEAD US NOT INTO 
TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM 
EVIL : FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND 
THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER. 

AME:Nr. 

13 



14 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 



PRAYERS OF THE AWAKENED 
SINNER. 



BEHOLD, I am vile; what shall I 
answer thee ? I w^ill lay my hand upon 
my mouth. Once have I spoken; but 
I will not answer : yea, twice ; but I 
wall proceed no further :"■ for I do re- 
member my faults this day.^ My ini- 
quity is greater than I can bear.^ I have 
sinned greatly in that I have done ; and 
now I beseech thee, O Lord, take away 
the iniquity of thy servant; for I have 
done very foolishly.^ How many are 
mine iniquities and sins? Make me to 
know my transgressions and my sins/ 
That which I see not, teach thou me : if 



* Job 40 : 4, 5. « Qe^. 41 : 9. 3 Gen. 4 : 13. 
*2 8am. 24: 10. ^ Job 13: 23. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 15 

I have done iniquity, I will do so no 
more.^ Yea, I abhor myself, and repent 
in dust and ashes.^ I will declare mine 
iniquities ; I will be sorry for my sins.^ 



FOR if I justify myself, my own 
mouth shall condemn me : if I say, lam 
perfect, It shall also prove me false.* 
What then shall I do when God riseth 
up? and when he visiteth?^ Lord, what 
wilt thou have me to do V Heal me, O 
Lord, and I shall be healed : save me 
and I shall be saved : for thou art my 
praise.'' For, Lord, if thou wilt, thou 
canst make me clean.® Thou hast re- 
ceived gifts for men, for the rebellious 
also, that the Lord God might dwell 
among them.^ 

* Job 34 : 32. ^ Job 42 : 6. « pg. SS : 18. 

* Job 9 : 20. 5 Job 31 . 14^ e ^^ts 9 : 6. 

^ Jer 17 : 14. « Matt. 8:2. 9 Ps. 68 : 18. 



16 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

OUT of the depths have I cried unto 
thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice : let 
thine ears be attentive to the voice of my 
supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldest 
mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall 
stand? But there is forgiveness with 
thee, that thou may est be feared. I wait 
for the Lord ; my soul doth wait, and in 
his word do I hope. My soul waiteth 
for the Lord more than they who watch 
for the morning : I say more than they 
who watch for the morning.^ Remem- 
ber not the sins of my youth, nor my 
transgressions : according to thy mercy 
remember thou me for thy goodness' 
sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the 
Lord, therefore will he teach sinners 
in the way. The meek w^ill he guide in 
judgment : and the meek will he teach 

^ Ps. 130 : 1—6. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 17 

his way. All the paths of the Lord are 
mercy and truth to such as keep his cove- 
nant and his testimonies. For thy 
name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine ini- 
quity, for it is great.* 



PRAYERS OF THE ANXIOUS 
SINNER. 

LORD, be merciful unto me : heal 
my soul ; for I have sinned against thee.^ 
Therefore, O God, be merciful to me a 
sinner.^ For unto thee will I cry, O 
Lord, my Rock ; be not silent to me : 
lest, if thou be silent to me, I become 
like tliem who go down into the pit. 
Hear the voice of my supplications, when 
I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands 

* Ps. 25 : 7-11. ^ Ps. 41 : 4. ^ Luke 18 : 13. 
2^ 



18 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

toward thy holy oracle. Draw me not 
away with the wicked, and with the 
workers of iniquity.^ Oh that I might 
have my request ; and that God would 
grant me the thing I long for !^ Jesus, 
thou Son of David, have mercy on me.^ 
We have sinned : do thou unto us what- 
soever seemeth good unto thee ; deliver 
us only, we pray thee, this day.* I will 
not let thee go except thou bless me.^ 
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in 
him.^ 



O LORD God of my salvation, I have 
cried day and night unto thee : let my 
prayer come before thee : incline thine 
ear unto my cry. Mine eye mourneth 
by reason of affliction : Lord, I have 



1 Ps. 28 : 1-3. 2 Job 6 : 8. ^ Mark 10 : 47. 

4 Judg. 10: 15. ^ Gen. 32: 26. ^ job 13 : 15. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 19 

called daily unto thee, I have stretched 
out mine hands unto thee. But unto thee 
have I cried, O Lord ; and in the morn- 
ing shall my prayer come before thee. 
Lord, why castest thou off my soul? why 
hidest thou thy face from me ?^ Create 
in me a clean heart, O God ; and renew 
a right spirit within me. Restore unto 
me the joy of thy salvation ; and uphold 
me with thy free spirit. O Lord, open 
thou my lips, and my mouth shall show 
forth thy praise. For thou desirest not 
sacrifice ; else would I give it : thou de- 
lightest not in burnt offering. The sacri- 
fices of God are a broken heart : a broken 
and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt 
not despise.^ 

^Ps. 88: 1-2, 9,13-14. 
2 Ps. 51 : 10, 12, 15, 16-17. 



20 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

PRAYER OF THE TURNING 
SINNER. 

I WILL arise and go to my father, and 
will say unto hinri, Father, I have sinned 
against Heaven, and before thee/ Hinder 
me not, seeing the Lord hath prospered 
my way : send me away that I may go 
to my Master.^ He knoweth the way 
that I take : when he hath tried me, I 
shall come forth as gold. Neither have 
I gone back from the commandment of 
his lips ; I have esteemed the words of 
his mouth more than my necessary food ; 
for God maketh my heart soft and the 
Almighty troubleth me/ I acknowledge 
my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have 
I not hid. I said I will confess my trans- 

*Luke 15: 18. ^ Gen. 24: 56. 

8 Job 23: 10, 12, 16. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 21 

gressions unto the Lord ; and thou for- 
gavest the iniquity of my sin/ 



PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING 
OF THE CONVERTED SINNER. 

BLESSED be the Lord, because he 
hath heard the voice of my supplications. 
The Lord is my strength, and my shield : 
my heart trusteth in him, and I am 
helped ; therefore my heart greatly re- 
joiceth ; and with my song will I praise 
him.^ Come and hear, all ye that fear 
God, and I will declare what he hath 
done for my soul.^ For I am not ashamed 
of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the 
power of God unto salvation to every 

* Ps. 32 : 5. 2 Ps. 28 : 6-7. ^ pg. 66 : 16. 



22 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

one that believeth.* God forbid that I 
should glory, save in the cross of Our 
Lord Jesus Christ.^ 



I WILL bless the Lord at all times : 
his praise shall continually be in my 
mouth. My soul shall make her boast 
in the Lord : the humble shall hear 
thereof, and be glad. O magnify the 
Lord with me, and let us exalt his name 
together. I sought the Lord, and he 
heard me, and delivered me from all my 
fears. They looked unto him, and were 
lightened ; and their faces were not 
ashamed. This poor man cried, and the 
Lord heard him, and saved him out of 
all his troubles. The angel of the Lord 
encampeth round about them that fear 
him, and delivereth them. taste and 

*Rom. 1: 16. ^ Gal. 6: 14. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 23 

see that the Lord is good ; blessed is the 
man that trusteth in him. The Lord is 
nigh unto them who are of a broken 
heart ; and saveth such as be of a con- 
trite spirit.^ But verily God hath heard 
me ; he hath attended to the voice of my 
prayer. Blessed be God, who hath not 
turned away my prayer, nor his mercy 
from me.^ 



I LOVE the Lord, because he hath 
heard my voice and my supplications. 
Because he hath inclined his ear unto 
me, therefore will I call upon him as 
long as I live. The sorrows of death 
compassed me, and the pains of hell got 
hold upon me : I found trouble and sor- 
row. Then called I upon the name 
the Lord : O Lord, I beseech the^ "^^^^^ 

l*/i ft Y\ Cm 

ver my soul. Gracious is the ^ ' 
' Vs. 34 : 1-8, IS. ^ p. 06 : 19-30. 



24 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

righteous ; yea, our God is merciful. 
The Lord preserveth the simple ; I was 
brought low, and he helped me. Return 
unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord 
hath dealt bountifully with thee. For 
thou hast delivered my soul from death, 
mine eyes from tears, and my feet from 
falling. I will walk before the Lord in 
the land of the living. I believed, there- 
fore have I spoken : I was greatly afflict- 
ed. What shall I render unto the Lord 
for all his benefits toward me? I will 
take the cup of salvation, and call upon 
the name of the Lord. I will pay my 
vows unto the Lord, now, in the presence 
of all his people. Precious in the sight 
of the Lord is the death of his saints. 
O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am 
thy servant, and the son of thine hand- 
maid ; thou hast loosed my bonds. I 
will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanks- 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 25 

giving, and will call upon the name of 
the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the 
Lord now, in the presence of all his peo- 
ple, in the courts of the Lord's house. 
Praise ye the Lord !' 



PRAISE OF THE HAPPY 
CHRISTIAN. 

I WILL sing to the Lord, as long as I 
live ; I will sing praise unto my God 
while I have my being. My meditation 
of him shall be sweet : I will be glad in 
the Lord. Bless thou the Lord, O my 
3oul. Praise ye the Lord.^ 

^ Ps. 116 : 1-10, 12-19. 2 ps. 104 : 33-35. 

3 



26 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 



PRAYER OF THE CHRISTIAN 
FOR PRESERVATION FROM 

SIN. 

WHO can understand his errors? 
cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep 
back thy servant also from presumptuous 
sins; let them not have dominion over 
me : then shall I be upright, and I shall 
be innocent from the great transgression. 
Let the words of my mouth, and the 
meditation of my heart, be acceptable in 
thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my 
Redeemer.^ 

*Ps. 19: 12-14. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 27 



PRAYER OF THE DOUBTING 
CHRISTIAN. 

WHERE is God my Maker, who giveth 
songs in the night?' Examine me, O Lord, 
anc] prove me ; try my reins and my heart. 
For thy loving-kindness is before mine 
eyes ; and I have walked in thy truth.* 
O Lord God, thou hast begun to show 
thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty 
hand : for what God is there in heaven 
or in earth, that can do according to thy 
works, and according to thy might ?^ 



1 Job 35: 10. aPs. 26: 2-3. 

sDeut. 3: 24. 



28 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 



SUPPLICATIONS OF THE CHRIS- 
TIAN ALARMED WITH FEARS. 

MY God, my God, why hast thou for 
saken me ? why art thou so far from 
helping me, and from the words of my 
roaring? O my God, I cry in the day- 
time, but thou hearest not; and in the 
night season, and am not silent. But 
thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the 
praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in 
thee : they trusted, and thou didst deli- 
ver them. They cried unto thee, and 
were delivered : they trusted in thee, 
and were not confounded. Be not far 
from me ; for trouble is near, for there is 
none to help. But be not thou far from 
me, O Lord : O my strength, haste thee 
to help me.^ 

iPs. 22: 1-5, 11, 19. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 29 

OH that I were as in months past, as in 
the days when God preserved me ; when 
his candle shined upon my head, and 
when, by his light, I walked through 
darkness; as I was in the days of my 
youth, when the secret of God was upon 
my tabernacle; when the Almighty was 
yet with me/ If I say, I will forget my 
complaint, I wdll leave off my heaviness, 
and comfort myself; I am afraid of my sor- 
rows ; I know that thou wilt not hold me 
innocent.2 But give ear to my prayer, O 
God ; and hide not thyself from my sup- 
plication. Attend unto me, and hear me : 
for my heart is sore pained within me ; 
and the terrors of death are fallen upon 
me. Fearfulness and trembling are come 
upon me ; and horror hath overw^helmed 
me. O that I had wings like a dove ! 
for then would I fly away, and be at rest.' 

* Job 29: 2-5. ^ Job 9: 27-28. ^ Ps. 55: 1-2, 4-7, 

3* 



30 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

AS the hart panleth after the water- 
brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O 
God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the 
living God. When shall I come and ap- 
pear before God ? My tears have been 
my meat day and night, while they con- 
tinually say unto me, where is thy God ? 
When I remember these things, I pour 
out my soul in me : for I had gone with 
the multitude, I went with them to the 
house of God, with the voice of joy and 
praise, with a multitude that keep holy- 
day. Why art thou cast down, O my 
soul? and why art thou disquieted in 
me ? Hope thou in God : for I shall yet 
praise him for the help of his counte- 
nance. Yet the Lord will command his 
loving-kindness in the day-time, and in 
the night his song shall be with me, and 
my prayer unto the God of my life. I 
will say unto God, my Rock, Why hast 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 3] 

thou forgotten me?^ Lord, where are 
thy former loving-kindnesses?^ Why 
art thou cast down, O my soul ? and why 
art thou disquieted within me? Hope 
thou in God : for I shall yet praise him, 
who is the health of my countenance, and 
my God.^ 



SOLEMN ENTREATIES OF THE 
CHRISTIAN, WITH GOD UNDER 
THE HIDINGS OF HIS FACE. 

HEAR my prayer, O Lord, give ear 
to my supplications : in thy faithfulness 
answer me, and in thy righteousness. 
And enter not into judgment with thy 
servant : for in thy sight shall no man 
living be justified. I remember the days 

* Ps. 42 : 1-5, 8-9. ^ pg. 89 : 49. « Pg. 42 : H. 



32 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

of old, I meditate on all thy works; I 
muse on the work of thy hands. I 
stretch forth my hands unto thee : my 
soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty 
land. Selah. Hear me speedily, O 
Lord : my spirit faileth : hide not thy 
face from me, lest I be like unto them 
that go down into the pit. Cause 
me to hear thy loving-kindness in the 
morning; for in thee do I trust: cause 
me to know the way wherein I should 
walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. 
Teach me to do thy will ; for thou art 
my God ; thy Spirit is good ; lead me 
into the hand of uprightness. Quicken 
me, O Lord, for thy name's sake : for thy 
righteousness' sake bring my soul out of 
trouble.! 



GIVE ear to my prayer, O Lord ; and 
^Ps. 143: 1-2,5-8,10-11. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 33 

hide not thyself from my supplications/ 
Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy ser- 
vant ? and wherefore have I not found 
favour in thy sight ?^ Will the Lord 
cast off for ever ? and will he be favour- 
able no more ? Is his mercy clean gone 
for ever ? doth his promise fail for ever- 
more ? Hath God forgotten to be gra- 
cious? hath he in anger shut up his 
tender mercies ? This is my infirmity : 
but I will remember the years of the 
right hand of the Most High.^ 



HEAR, O Lord, when I cry with my 
voice : have mercy also upon me, and 
answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye 
my face ; my heart said unto thee, Thy 
face. Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy 
face far from me; put not thy servant 
away in anger: thou hast been my help; 

1 Ps. 86:6. 2 Num. 11 : 11. ^ Ps. 77 ; 7-10. 



34 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

leave me not, neither forsake me, O God 
of ray salvation. When my father and 
my mother forsake me, then the Lord 
will take me up. Teach me thy way, 

Lord, and lead me in a plain path. 

1 had fainted, unless I had believed 
to see the goodness of the Lord in the 
land of the living. Wait on the Lord; 
be of good courage, and he shall 
strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on 
the Lord.^ 



AGONIZING PRAYERS OF THE 
CHRISTIAN WHO HAS FALL- 
EN INTO GROSS SINS. 

HAVE mercy upon me, O God, ac- 
cording to thy loving-kindness; accord- 
ing unto the multitude of thy tender mer 

^ Ps. 27: 7-11, 13-14. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 35 

cies blot out my transgressions. Wash 
me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and 
cleanse me from my sin. For I acknow- 
ledge my transgressions; and my sin is 
ever before me. Against thee, thee only, 
have I sinned, and done this evil in thy 
sight: that thou mightest be justified 
when thou speakest, and be clear when 
thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in 
iniquity; and in sin did my mother con- 
ceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth 
in the inward parts; and in the hidden 
part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be 
clean ; wash me, and I shall be whiter 
than snow. Make me to hear joy and 
gladness; that the bones w^hich thou 
hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face 
from my sins, and blot out all mine ini- 
quities. Create in me a clean heart, O 
God; and renew a right spirit within 



36 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

me. Cast me not away from thy pre- 
sence; and take not thy Holy Spirit 
from me. Restore unto me the joy of 
thy salvation ; and uphold me with thy 
free Spirit. Then will I teach trans- 
gressors thy ways ; and sinners shall be 
converted unto thee. Deliver me from 
blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my 
salvation : and my tongue shall sing 
aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, 
open thou my lips, and my mouth shall 
show forth thy praise. For thou desirest 
not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou 
delightest not in burnt-offering. The 
sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a 
broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou 
wilt not despise.^ 



HEAR me when I call, O God of my 
righteousness; thou hast enlarged me 



^Ps. 51: 1-17. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 37 

Avlien I was in distress ; be gracious unto 
me. and hear my prayer/ / know I am 
not worthy of the least of all the mercies, 
and of all the truth, which thou hast 
showed unto thy servant/ Bow down 
thine ear, O Lord, hear me : for I am 
poor and needy. Nevertheless preserve 
my soul ; for I am one whom thou favour- 
est. O thou my God, save thy servant 
that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto 
me, O Lord : for I cry unto thee all the 
day. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: 
for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my 
soul. For thou. Lord, art good, and 
ready to forgive ; and plenteous in mercy 
unto all them that call upon thee. Give 
ear, O Lord, unto my prayer, and attend 
to the voice of my supplications. In the 
day of my trouble I will call upon thee : 
for thou wilt answer me. For thou art 

*Ps. 4: 1. 3 Gen. 32: 10. 



38 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

great, and doest wondrous things : thou 
art God alone. Teach me thy way, O 
Lord; I will walk in thy truth; unite 
my heart to fear thy name. I will praise 
thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: 
and I will glorify thy name for evermore. 
For great is thy mercy toward me : and 
thou hast delivered my soul from the 
lowest hell. But thou, O Lord, art a 
God full of compassion, and gracious, 
long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy 
and truth. O turn unto me, and have 
mercy upon me; give thy strength unto 
thy servant, and save the son of thine 
handmaid. Show me a token for good; 
that they which hate me may see it, and 
be ashamed : because thou, Lord, hast 
helped me, and comforted me.* 

^Ps. 86: 1-7, 10-13, 15-17. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 39 



PRAISE AND THANSGIVING 
FOR RESTORATION TO GOD^S 
FAVOUR. 

BLESSED be the Lord, because he 
hath heard the voice of my supplica- 
tions. The Lord is my strength and my 
shield ; my heart trusted in him, and I am 
helped : therefore my heart greatly re- 
joiceth ; and with my song will I praise 
him/ I have trusted in thy mercy ; my 
heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I 
will sing unto the Lord, because he hath 
dealt bountifully with me.^ 



^Ps. 28: 6-7. » Ps. 13: 5-6. 



40 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 



PRAYERS FOR GOD'S CON^ 
TINUED GRACE. 

O GOD, thou art my God ; early will 
I seek thee : my soul thirsteth for thee, 
my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and 
thirsty land, where no water is; to see 
thy power and thy glory, so as I have 
seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy 
loving-kindness is better than life, my 
lips shal] praise thee. Thus will I bless 
thee while I live : I will lift up my 
hands in thy name. My soul shall be 
satisfied as with marrow and fatness ; and 
my mouth shall praise thee with joyful 
lips : when I remember thee upon my 
bed, and meditate on thee in the night 
watches. Because thou hast been my 
help, therefore in the shadow of thy 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 4l 

wings will I rejoice. My soial followeth 
hard after thee: thy right hand up- 
holdeth me/ Now, therefore, I pray 
thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, 
show me now thy way, that I may know 
thee, that I may find grace in thy sight.* 



HEAR the right, O Lord, attend unto 
my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that 
goeth not out of feigned lips. Let my 
sentence come forth from thy presence ; 
let thine eyes behold the things that are 
equal. Thou hast proved my heart ; thou 
hast visited me in the night ; thou hast 
tried me, and shall find nothing : I am 
purposed that my mouth shall not trans- 
gress. Concerning the works of men, 
by the word of thy lips I have kept me 
from the paths of the destroyer. Hold 

^ Ps. 63 : 1-8. Ex. 33 : 13. 

4^ 



42 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

up my goings in thy paths, that my foot- 
steps slip not. I have called upon thee, 
for thou wilt hear me, O God : incline 
thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. 
Show thy marvellous loving-kindness, O 
thou that savest by thy right hand them 
which put their trust in thee, from those 
that rise up against them. Keep me as 
the apple of the eye, hide me under the 
shadow of thy wings.^ Let my soul wait 
only upon God ; for my expectation is 
from him. He only is my rock and my 
salvation ; he is my defence ; I shall not 
be moved. In God is my salvation and 
my glory : the rock of my strength, and 
my refuge, is in God.^ O continue thy 
loving-kindness unto them that know 
thee; and thy righteousness to the up- 
right in heart.^ 

* Ps. 17; 1-8. 2 Ps. 62: 5-7. ^ pg, 35 . jq. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 43 



PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL LIGHT 
IN READING GOD'S WORD. 

TEACH me, O Lord, thenvay of thy 
statutes; and I shall keep it unto the 
end. Give nrie understanding, and I 
shall keep thy law ; yea, I shall observe 
it v^ith my whole heart. Make me to 
go in the path of thy commandments; 
for therein do I delight. Incline my 
heart unto thy testimonies, and not to 
covetousness. Turn away mine eyes 
from beholding vanity ; and quicken thou 
me in thy way. Establish thy word 
unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy 
fear. Behold, I have longed after thy 
precepts : quicken me in thy right- 
eousness. For thy word have I hid in 
mine heart, that I might not sin against 



44 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach 
me thy statutes. With ray lips have I 
declared all the judgments of thy mouth. 
I have rejoiced in the v^ay of thy testi- 
monies, as much as in all riches. I wnll 
meditate in thy precepts, and have re- 
spect unto thy ways. I will delight my- 
self in thy statutes : I will not forget thy 
W'ord. Deal bountifully with thy ser- 
vant, that I may live, and keep thy word. 
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold 
wondrous things out of thy law. For thy 
testimonies also are my delight, and my 
counsellor. Therefore make me to un- 
derstand the way of thy precepts : so 
shall I talk of thy wondrous works.' 

1 Ps. 119: 33-40; 11-18; 24, 27. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 45 



PRAYERS AND PRAISE OF THE 
CHRISTIAN BEFORE COMMU- 
NION. 

THE Lord is the portion of mine in- 
heritance and of my cup : thou main- 
tainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto 
me in pleasant places; yea, I have a 
goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord, 
who hath given me counsel : my reins 
also instruct me in the night seasons. I 
have set the Lord always before me : 
because he is at my right hand, I shall 
not be moved. Therefore mj heart is 
glad, and my glory rejoiceth ; my flesh 
also shall rest in hope. Thou wilt show 
me the path of life : in thy presence is 
fulness of joy ; at thy right hand there 
are pleasures for evermore.^ 

^Ps. 16: 5-9, 11. 



46 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

THY VOWS are upon me, O God: I 
will render praises unto thee.' Therefore 
offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay 
thy vows unto the Most High : and 
call -upon me in the day of trouble : I 
will deliver thee; and thou shalt glorify 
me/ Because thou preparest a table be- 
fore me in the presence of mine enemies : 
thou anointest my head with oil; my 
cup runneth over. Surely goodness and 
mercy shall follow me all the days of 
my life : and I will dwell in the house 
of the Lord for ever.^ Yea my praise 
shall be of thee in the orreat congreora- 
tion : I will pay my vows before them 
that fear him. The meek shall eat and 
be satisfied : they shall praise the Lord 
that seek him : your hearts shall live 
for ever. All the ends of the world shall 

* Ps. 56: 12. 2 Ps. 50: 14-15. ^ Ps. 23 : 5-6. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 47 

remember and turn unto the Lord : and 
all the kindreds of the nations shall wor- 
ship before thee.* 



PRAISE OF THE CHRISTIAN 
GOING TO COMMUNION, AF- 
TER A SEVERE SICKNESS. 

I LOVE the Lord, because he hath 
heard my voice and my supplications. Be- 
cause he hath inclined his ear unto me, 
therefore will I call upon him as long as I 
live. The sorrows of death compassed me, 
and the pains of hell got hold upon me : 
I found trouble and sorrow. Then called 
I upon the name of the Lord ; O Lord, 
I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gra- 
cious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, 

1 Ps. 22 : 25-27. 



48 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

our God is merciful. The Lord pre- 
serveth the simple : I was brought low, 
and he helped me. Return unto thy 
rest, O my soul ; for the Lord hath dealt 
bountifully with thee. For thou hast 
delivered my soul from death, mine eyes 
from tears, and my feet from falling. I 
will walk before the Lord in the land of 
the living. I believed, therefore have I 
spoken : I was greatly afflicted. What 
shall I render unto the Lord for all his 
benefits toward me ? I will take the cup 
of salvation, and call upon the name of 
the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the 
Lord now in the presence of all his peo- 
ple. Precious in the sight of the Lord 
is the death of his saints. O Lord, truly 
I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and 
the son of thine handmaid : thou hast 
loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee 
the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will 



I 



THE BIBLE PHAYER-BOOK. 49 

call upon the name of the Lord. I will 
pay my vows unto the Lord now in the 
presence of all his people. In the courts 
of the Lord's house. Praise ye the 
Lord.^ 



CONFIDENCE IN GOD. 

THE Lord is my shepherd; I shall 
not want. He maketh me to lie down 
in green pastures : he leadeth me beside 
the still waters. He restoreth my soul : 
he leadeth me in the path of righteousness 
for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk 
through the valley of the shadow of 
death, I will fear no evil : for thou art 
with me ; thy rod and thy staff they com- 
fort me/^ Wherefore thou art great, O 

*Ps. 116: 1-10; 12-19. ^Ps. 23: 1-4. 

5 



50 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

Lord God : for there is none like thee, 
neither is there any God beside thee, ac- 
cording to all that we have heard with 
our ears/ Therefore let all the earth fear 
the Lord : let all the inhabitants of the 
world stand in awe of him.^ 



ADORATION. 

HALLELUJAH ! Salvation, and 
glory, and honour, and power, he unto 
the Lord our God. Praise our God 
all ye his servants, and ye that fear 
him both small and great. Hallelujah ! 
for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. 
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give 
honour to him.^ Who shall not fear thee, 
O Lord, and glorify thy name ? for thou 

^2 Sam. 7: 22. « Ps. 38: 8. 

3 Rev. 19: 1, 5,6,7. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 51 

only art holy : for all nations shall come 
and worship before thee; for thy judg- 
ments are made manifest/ And the 
heavens shall praise thy wonders, O 
Lord; thy faithfulness also in the con- 
gregations of the saints. For who in 
the heaven can be compared unto the 
Lord ? who among the sons of the mighty 
can be likened unto the Lord? God is 
greatly to be feared in the assembly of 
his saints, and to be had in reverence of 
all them that are about him. O Lord 
God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like 
unto thee ? or to thy faithfulness round 
about thee ? 



I THOUGHT it good to show the 
signs and wonders that the high God 
hath wrought toward me. How great 

*Rev. 15: 4. ^ Ps, 89: 5-8. 



52 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

are his signs ! and how mighty are his 
wonders ! His kingdom is an everlast- 
ing kingdom, and his dominion is from 
generation to generation/ All the earth 
shall worship thee, and shall sing unto 
thee; they shall sing to thy name. 
Selah.^ For thy mercy, O Lord, is in 
the heavens; and thy faithfulness reach- 
eth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness 
is like the great mountains; thy judg- 
ments are a great deep; O Lord, thou 
preservest man and beast. How excel- 
lent is thy loving-kindness, O God ! 
therefore the children of men put their 
trust under the shadow of thy wings. 
They shall be abundantly satisfied with 
the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt 
make them drink of the river of thy 
pleasures. For with thee is the fountain 
of life : in thy light shall we see light.^ 

1 Dan. 4 : ^3. ^ Ps. 66 : 4. ^ pg. 36 : 5-9. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 53 

O LORD our Lord, how excellent is 
thy name in all the earth ! who hast set 
thy glory above the heavens. Out of the 
mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou 
ordained strength because of thine ene- 
mies, that thou mightest still the enemy 
and avenger. When I consider the 
heavens, the work of thy fingers, the 
moon, and the stars, which thou hast or- 
dained ; what is man, that thou art mind- 
ful of him ? and the son of man, that thou 
visitest him? For thou hast made him 
a little lower than the angels, and hast 
crowned him with glory and honour. 
Thou madest him to have dominion over 
the works of thy hands ; thou hast put 
all things under his feet. All sheep and 
oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field ; 
the fowls of the air, and the fish of the 
sea, and whatsoever passeth through the 
paths of the seas. O Lord our God, 
5* 



64 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

how excellent is thy name in all the 
earth !^ 



ADORATION OF CHRIST. 

WORTHY is the Lamb that was slain 
to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, 
and strength, and honour, and glory, and 
blessing.2 For thou hast ascended on 
high, thou hast led captivity captive : 
thou hast received gifts for men.^ Thy 
throne, O God, is for ever and ever ; the 
sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. 
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest 
wickedness: therefore God, thy God, 
hath anointed thee with the oil of glad- 
ness above thy fellows.^ 

* Ps. 8. ^ Rev. 5: 12. 

sPs. 68: 18. *Ps. 45: 6-7. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 55 



PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING 
AT THE REMEMBRANCE OF 
GOD'S MERCIES. 

IT is a good thing to give thanks 
Tinto the Lord, and to sing praises unto 
thy name, O Most High : to show forth 
thy loving-kindness in the morning, and 
thy faithfulness every night, upon an 
instrument of ten strings, and upon the 
psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn 
sound. For thou, Lord, hast made me 
glad through thy work : I will triumph 
in the works of thy hands. O Lord, 
how great are thy works! and thy 
thoughts are very deep. A brutish man 
knoweth not; neither doth a fool under- 
stand this. When the wicked spring as 
the grass, and when all the workers of 
iniquity do flourish ; it is that they shall 



66 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 



be destroyed for ever. But thou, Lord, 
art most high for evermore.^ 



I WILL praise thee, O Lord, with my 
whole heart: I will show forth all thy 
marvellous works. I will be glad and 
rejoice in thee : I will sing praise to thy 
name, O thou Most High. For thou 
hast maintained my right and my cause ; 
thou satest in the throne judging right. 
The Lord shall endure for ever : he hath 
prepared his throne for judgment. And 
he shall judge the world in righteousness, 
he shall minister judgment to the people 
in uprightness. The Lord also will be a 
refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times 
of trouble. And they that know thy 
name will put their trust in thee: for 
thou. Lord, hast not forsaken them that 
seek thee.^ 

* Ps. 92: 1-8. ^ Ps. 9: 1-2, 4, 7-10. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 57 

I WILL extol thee, my God, O King; 
and I will bless thy name for ever and 
ever. Every day will I bless thee; and 
I will praise thy name for ever and ever. 
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be 
praised; and his greatness is unsearch- 
able. One generation shall praise thy 
works to another, and shall declare thy 
mighty acts. I will speak of the glori- 
ous honour of thy majesty, and of thy 
wondrous works. And men shall speak 
of the might of thy terrible acts; and I 
will declare thy greatness. They shall 
abundantly utter the memory of thy great 
goodness, and shall sing of thy righteous- 
ness. The Lord is gracious, and full of 
compassion; slow to anger, and of great 
mercy. The Lord is good to all; and 
his tender mercies are over all his works. 
All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord: 
and thy saints shall bless thee. They 



58 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, 
and talk of thy power; to make known 
to the sons of men his mighty acts, and 
the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 
Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, 
and thy dominion endureth throughout 
all generations. The Lord upholdeth 
all that fall, and raiseth up all those that 
be bowed down. The eyes of all wait 
upon thee; and thou givest them their 
meat in due season. Thou openest thine 
hand, and satfsfieth the desire of every 
living thing. The Lord is righteous in 
all his ways, and holy in all his works. 
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call 
upon him, to all that call upon him in 
truth. He will fulfil the desire of them 
that fear him : he also will hear their cry, 
and will save them. The Lord preserv- 
eth all them that love him: but all the 
wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 59 

speak the praise of the Lord : and let all 
flesh bless his holy name for ever and 
ever.^ 



PRAYERS FOR DELIVERANCE 
FROM ENEMIES. 

LORD my God, in thee do I put 
my trust: save me from all them that 
persecute me, and deliver me. Lest he 
tear my soul like a lion, rending it in 
pieces, while there is none to deliver. 
O Lord my God, if I have done this; if 
there be iniquity in my hands; if I have 
rewarded evil unto him that was at peace 
with me; (yea, I have delivered him 
that without cause is mine enemy:) let 
the enemy persecute my soul and take 
it ; yea, let him tread down my life upon 

^ Ps. 145. 



60 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

the earth, and lay mine honour in the 
dust. Selah/ But be merciful unto 
me, God ; be merciful unto me, for my 
soul trusteth in thee ; yea, in the shadow 
of thy wings will I make my refuge, 
until these calamities be overpast. I will 
cry unto God most high ; unto God that 
performeth all things for me. He shall 
send from heaven, and save me from the 
reproach of him that would swallow me 
up. Selah. God shall send forth his 
mercy and his truth.^ The Lord is on 
my side; I will not fear: what can man 
do unto me? The Lord taketh my part i 
with them that help me. It is better to 
trust in the Lord than to put confidence 
in man.^ In thee, O Lord, do I put my 
trust; let me never be ashamed : deliver 
me in thy righteousness. Bow down 
thine ear tome; deliver me speedily ; be 

1 Ps. 7: 1-5. aps. 57: 1-3. ^ Ps. 118: 6-8. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 61 

thou my strong rock, for a house of de- 
fence to save me. For thou art my rock 
and my fortress : therefore, for thy name's 
sake, lead me and guide me. Pull me 
out of the net that they have laid privily 
for me; for thou art my strength. Into 
thine hand I commit my spirit : thou hast 
redeemed me, Lord God of truth. ^ So 
that / may boldly say. The Lord is my 
helper, and I will not fear what man shall 
do unto me.^ 



IN thee, O Lord do I put my trust; 
let me never be put to confusion. Deliver 
me in thy righteousnevSS, and cause me 
to escape : incline thine ear unto me and 
save me. Be thou my strong habitation, 
whereunto I may continually resort ; thou 
hast given commandment to save me, for 
thou art my rock and my fortress. De 



* Ps. 31 : 1-5. a Heb. 13 : 6. 



62 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

liver me, O my God, out of the hand of 
the wicked, out of the hand of the un- 
righteous and cruel man. For thou art 
my hope, O Lord God : thou art my 
trust from my youth. O God, be not far 
from me : O my God make haste for my 
help.' Save me, O God, by thy name, 
and judge me by thy strength. Hear my 
prayer, O God; give ear to the words of 
my mouth. For strangers are risen up 
against me, and oppressors seek after my 
soul : they have not set God before them. 
Selah. Behold, God is mine helper : the 
Lord is with them that uphold my soul. 
I will freely sacrifice unto thee : I will 
praise thy name, O Lord, for it is good.^ 

^ Ps. 71 : 1-5, 12. ^ Ps. 54 : 1-4, 6. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 63 

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING 
FOR DELIVERANCE FROM 
ENEMIES. 

THE Lord is my rock, and my fort- 
ress, and my deliverer; the God of my 
rock; in him will I trust: he is my 
shield, and the horn of my salvation, my 
high tower, and my refuge, my Saviour; 
thou savest me from violence. I wall call 
on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised : 
so shall I be saved from, mine enemies. 
When the waves of death compassed me, 
the floods of ungodly men made me 
afraid ; the sorrows of hell compassed me 
about; the snares of death overcame me. 
In my distress I called upon the Lord, 
and cried to my God : and he did hear 
my voice out of his temple, and my cry 
did enter into his ears. With the merci- 
ful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and 



64 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

with the "upright man thou wilt show 
thyself upright : with the pure thou wilt 
show thyself pure ; and with the fro ward 
thou wilt show thyself unsavoury. And 
the afflicted people thou wilt save : but 
thine eyes are upon the haughty, that 
thou mayest bring them down. For 
thou art my lamp, O Lord; and the 
Lord will lighten my darkness. As for 
God, his way is perfect; the word of the 
Lord is tried : he is a buckler to all them 
that trust in him. For who is God, save 
the Lord ? and who is a rock, save our 
God ? God is my strength and power : 
and he maketh my way perfect. The 
Lord liveth, and blessed be my rock; 
and exalted be the God of the rock of my 
salvation. I will give thanks unto thee, 
O Lord, among the heathen, and I will 
sing praises unto thy name.' 

' 2 Sam. 22: 2-8, 26-29, 31-83, 47, 50. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 65 

THE Lord is my strength and song, 
and he is become my salvation : he is my 
God, and I will prepare him an habita- 
tion; my father's God, and I will exalt 
him. Who is like unto thee, O Lord, 
among the gods? who is like thee, 
glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, 
doing wonders?^ My heart rejoiceth in 
the Lord ; mine horn is exalted in the 
Lord; my mouth is enlarged over mine 
enemies : because I rejoice in thy salva- 
tion. There is none holy as the Lord : 
for there is none besides thee : neither is 
there any rock like our God. Talk no 
more so exceeding proudly : let not arro- 
gancy come out of your mouth : for the 
Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him 
actions are weighed. The bows of the 
mighty men are broken, and they that 

^Ex. 15: 2, 11. 
6* 



66 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

Stumbled are girded with strength. The 
Lord killeth, and maketh alive ; he bring- 
eth down to the grave, and bringeth np. 
The Lord maketh poor, and maketh 
rich : he bringeth low, and lifteth up. 
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, 
and lifteth up the beggar from the dung- 
hill, to set them among princes, and to 
make them inherit the throne of glory: 
for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, 
and he hath set the world upon them/ 



I WILL extol thee, O Lord ; for thou 
hast lifted me up, and hast not made my 
foes to rejoice over me. O Lord my 
God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast 
healed me. O Lord, thou hast brought 
up my soul from the grave ; thou hast 
kept me alive, that I should not go down 



* 1 Sam. 2: 1-4, 6-8. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 67 

to the pit. Sing unto the Lord, O ye 
saints of his, and give thanks at the re- 
membrance of his holiness. For his 
anger endureth but a moment; in his fa- 
vour is life : v^^eeping may endure for a 
night, but joy cometh in the morning. 
And in my prosperity I said, I shall 
never be moved. Lord, by thy favour 
thou hast made my mountain to stand 
strong : thou didst hide thy face, and I 
v^^as troubled. I cried to thee, O Lord ; 
and unto the Lord I made supplications. 
What profit is there in my blood, vv^hen 
I go down to the pit? shall the dust 
praise thee ? shall it declare thy truth ? 
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon 
me: Lord, be thou my helper. Thou 
hast turned for me my mourning into 
dancing : thou hast put off my sackcloth, 
and girded me with gladne^ss; to the 
end that my tongue may sing praise to 



68 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 



thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, 
I will give thanks unto thee for ever.* 



PRAYER IN GREAT LOSSES. 

FOR these things I weep : mine eye, 
mine eye runneth down with water, be- 
cause the comforter that should relieve 
my soul is far from me ; my children are 
desolate.^ But shall we receive good at 
the hand of God ? and shall not we re- 
ceive evil V Naked came I out of my 
mother's womb, and naked shall I return 
thither : the Lord gave, and the Lord 
hath taken away ; blessed be the name 
of the Lord.* 

^ Ps. 30. 3 Lam. 1 : 16. 

3 Job 2: 10. ^ Job 1:21. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 69 



PRAYERS IN GREAT BODILY 
AFFLICTIONS. 

O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath ; 
neither chasten me in thy hot displeas-ure. 
For thine arrows stick fast in me^ and thy 
hand presseth me sore. There is no 
soundness in my flesh because of thine 
anger; neither is there any rest in my 
bones because of my sin. For mine ini- 
quities are gone over mine head ; as a 
heavy burden they are too heavy for me. 
I am troubled ; I am bowed down great- 
ly ; I am mourning all the day long. For 
my loins are filled with a loathsome dis- 
ease ; and there is no soundness in my 
flesh. I am feeble and sore broken : I 
have roared by reason of thedisquietness 
of my heart. Lord, all my desire is be- 



70 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

fore tliee ; and my groaning is not bid 
from thee. My heart panteth, my strength 
faileth me : as for the light of mine eyes, 
it also is gone from me. Forsake me not, 
O Lord : O my God, be not far from me. 
Make haste to help me, Lord my 
salvation.! 



HEAR my prayer, O Lord, and let 
my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy 
face from me in the day when I am in 
trouble ; incline thine ear unto me : in 
the day when I call, answer me speedily. 
My days are like a shadow that declineth ; 
and I am withered like grass. But thou, 
O Lord, shalt endure for ever, and thy 
remembrance unto all generations. He 
weakened my strength in the way ; he 
shortened my days. I said, O my God, 

*Ps. 38: 1-4; 6-10, 21,22. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 71 

take me not away in the midst of my 
days. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, 
for I am in trouble; mine eye is con- 
sumed with grief For my life is spent 
w^ith grief, and my years with sighing : 
my strength faileth because of mine ini 
quity, and my bones are consumed. My 
times are in thy hand : deliver me from 
the hand of mine enemies, and from them 
that persecute me. Make thy face to 
shine upon thy servant : save me for thy 
mercies' sake.^ 



I CRIED unto the Lord with my voice : 
with my voice unto the Lord did I make 
my supplication. I poured out my com- 
plaint before him : I showed before him 
my trouble. I cried unto thee, O Lord ; 



*Ps. 102: 1,2, 11, 12, 23,24. 
2 Ps. 31 : 9, 10, 15, 16. 



72 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

I said thou art my refuge, and my por- 
tion in the land of the living. Attend 
unto my cry ; for I am brought very 
low/ I am the man that hath seen afflic- 
tion by the rod of his wrath. He hath 
led me, and brought me into darkness, 
but not into light.* Surely against me is 
he turned ; he turneth his hand against 
me all the day. My flesh and my skin 
hath he made old ; he hath broken my 
bones.* Turn thee unto me, and have 
mercy upon me : for I am desolate and 
afflicted. The troubles of my heart are 
enlarged : O bring thou me out of my 
distresses. Look upon mine affliction, 
and my pain ; and forgive all my sins.^ 



O LORD, rebuke me not in thine 
anger, neither chasten me in thy hot 

* Ps. 142 : 1, 2, 5, 6. ^ Lam. 3 : 1-4. 

3 Ps. 25. 16-18. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 73 

displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O 
Lord ; for I am weak : O Lord, heal me ; 
for my bones are vexed. My soul is also 
sore vexed : but thou, O Lord, how^ long? 
Return, O Lord, deliver my soul : oh 
save me for thy mercies' sake. For in 
death there is no remembrance of thee : 
in the grave who shall give thee thanks? 
I am weary with my groanings, all the 
night make I my bed to swim : I water 
my couch with my tears. Mine eye is 
consumed because of griefs Although 
affliction cometh not forth of the dust, 
neither doth trouble spring out of the 
ground, yet man is born unto trouble, as 
the sparks fly upward. I would seek 
unto God, and unto God would I com- 
mit my cause; which doeth great things 
and unsearchable ; marvellous things 

* Ps. 6 : 1-7. 

7 



74 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

without number : who giveth rain upon 
the earth, and sendeth water upon the 
fields. To set up on high those that be 
low ; that those which mourn may be 
exalted to safety. Behold, happy is the 
man whom God correcteth ; therefore 
despise not thou the chastening of the 
Almighty. For he maketh sore, and 
bindeth up : he woundeth, and his hands 
make whole. He shall deliver thee in 
six troubles : yea, in seven there shall 
no evil touch thee.^ 



MY flesh is clothed with worms and 
impurity ; my skin is broken, and be- 
come loathsome. O remember that my 
life is wind : mine eye shall no more see 
good. The eye of him that hath seen 
me shall see me no more : thine eyes are 

* Job 5: 6-11, 17-19. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 75 

npon me, and I am not. As the cloud is 
consumed and vanisheth away ; so he 
that goeth down to the grave shall come 
up no more. He shall return no more to 
his house, neither shall his place know 
him any more. Therefore I will not re- 
frain my mouth ; I wdll speak in the 
anguish of my spirit; 1 will complain 
in the bitterness of my soul. Am I a sea, 
or a whale, that thou settest a watch over 
me? So that my soul chooseth strang- 
ling, and death rather than my life. What 
is man that thou shouldest magnify him ? 
and that thou shouldest set thine heart 
upon him? and that thou shouldest 
visit him every morning, and try him 
every moment? How long wilt thou 
not depart from me, nor let me alone till 
I swallow down my spittle V 

Uob 7 : 5, 7-12, 15, 17-19. 



76 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

THE arrows of the Almighty are 
within me, the poison whereof drinketh 
up my spirit : the terrors of God do set 
themselves in array against me/ O that 
he would show thee the secrets of wis- 
dom, that they are double to that which 
is ! Know therefore that God exacteth 
of thee less than thine iniquity de- 
serveth.^ 



PRAYERS OF THOSE WHO BY 

SICKNESS ARE DEPRIVED OF 
THE PRIVILEGES OF GOD'S 
HOUSE. 

I CRIED by reason of mine affliction 
unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of 
the belly of the grave cried I, and thou 

* Job 6: 4. 2 Job 11: 6. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 77 

heardest my voice. Then I said, I am 
cast out of thy sight; yet I will look 
again toward thy holy temple. When 
my soul fainted within me, I rememl)ered 
the Lord : and my prayer came in unto 
thee, into thine holy temple. They that 
observe lying vanities, forsake their own 
mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee 
with the voice of thanksgiving; I will 
pay that which I have vowed. Salvation 
is of the Lord.i 



HOW amiable are thy tabernacles, O 
Lord of hosts ! My soul longetB, yea, 
even famteth for the courts of the Lord: 
my heart and my flesh crieth out for the 
living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found 
a house, and the swallow a nest for her- 
self, where she may lay her young, even 

* Jonah 2: 2,4,7-9. 

7^ 



78 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, 
and my God. Blessed are they that 
dwell in thy house : they will be still 
praising thee. Selah. They go from 
strength to strength, every one of them 
in Zion appeareth before God. O Lord 
God of hosts, hear my prayer : give ear, 
O God of Jacob. Selah. Behold, O God, 
our shield, and look upon the face of thine 
anointed. For a day in thy courts is 
better than a thousand. I had rather be a 
door-keeper in the house of my God than 
to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For 
the Lord God is a sun and shield : the 
Lord will give grace and glory : no good 
thing will he withhold from them that 
walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed 
is the man that trusteth in thee.' 

^Ps. 84: 1-4,7-12. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 79 



PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING 
FOR RESTORATION TO 
HEALTH. 

I WILL be glad and rejoice in thy 
mercy : for thou hast considered my 
trouble ; thou hast known my soul in 
adversities;^ I shall not die, but live, 
and declare the v^orks of the Lord. The 
Lord hath chastened me sore, but he 
hath not given me over unto death. ^ But 
unless thy law had been my delight, 
I should then have perished in mine 
affliction. It is good for me that I have 
been afflicted ; that I might learn thy 
statutes. For before I was afflicted I 
w^ent astray : but now have I kept thy 
word.^ 

iPs.31:7. ^Ps. 118: 17, 18. ^Ps. 119: 92,71,67. 



80 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

BLESS the Lord, O my soul: and 
all that is within me, bless his holy 
name. Bless the Lord, O my sonl, and 
forget not all his benefits : who forgiveth 
all thine iniquities ; who healeth all thy 
diseases ; who redeemeth thy life from 
destruction; who crowneth thee with 
loving-kindness and tender mercies; who 
satisfieth thy mouth with good things ; so 
that thy youth is renewed like the 
eagle's. The Lord executeth righteous- 
ness and judgment for all that are op- 
pressed. He made known his ways unto 
Moses, his acts unto the children of 
Israel. The Lord is merciful and gra- 
cious, slow to anger, and plenteous in 
mercy. He will not always chide; 
neither will he keep his anger for ever. 
He hath not dealt with us after our sins ; 
nor rewarded us according to our iniqui- 
ties. For as the heaven is high above the 



THE BIBLE PRAYEK-BOOK. 81 

earth, so great is his mercy toward them 
that fear him. As far as the east is from 
the west, so far hath he removed our 
transgressions from us. Like as a father 
pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth 
them that fear himi. For he knoweth our 
frame ; he remembereth that w^e are dust. 
As for man, his days are as grass ; as a 
flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For 
the wind passeth over it, and it is gone ; 
and the place thereof shall know it no 
more. But the mercy of the Lord is 
from everlasting to everlasting upon 
them that fear him, and his righteousness 
unto children's children ; to such as keep 
his covenant, and to those that remem- 
ber his commandments to do them. The 
Lord hath prepared his throne in the 
heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over 
all. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that 
excel in strength, that do his command- 



82 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

merits, hearkening unto the voice of his 
word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his 
hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his 
pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works 
in all places of his dominion : bless the 
Lord, O my soul.^ 



PRAYER OF THE POOR. 

MAKE haste, God, to deliver me ; 
make haste to help me, O Lord, for I 
am poor and needy : make haste unto 
me, O God : thou art my help and my 
deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying. 3 
Surely the Lord also will be a refuge for 
the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 
The needy shall not always be forgotten : 
the expectation of the poor shall not perish 

iPs. 103. ^Ps. 70: 1,5. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 83 

for ever/ For I know that the Lord 
will maintain the cause of the afflicted, 
and the right of the poor. Surely the 
righteous shall give thanks unto thy 
name : the upright shall dwell in thy 
presence.^ 



PRAYERS OF AN ORPHAN. 

LORD, thou hast heard the desire of 
the humble : thou wilt prepare their 
heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear ; 
to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, 
that the m^n of the earth may no more 
oppress.^ For a father of the fatherless, 
and judge of the widows, is God in his 
holy habitation.* Surely he will regard 
the prayer of the destitute, and not de- 

*Ps. 9: 9, 18. ^Ps. 140: 12, 13. 

sPs. 10: 17, 18. *Ps. 68:5. 



84 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

spise their prayers.' For the Lord pre- 
serveth the strangers; he relieveth the 
fatherless and widow : but the way ot 
the wicked he turneth upside down. 
The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy 
God, unto all generations. Praise ye the 
Lord.^ 



LORD be merciful to me ]^ for I 
am poor and needy; yet the Lord think- 
eth upon me ; thou art my help and my 
deliverer : make no tarrying, O my 
God.^ Then shall my soul be joyful in 
the Lord : it shall rejoice in his salvation. 
All my bones shall say, Lord who is like 
unto thee, which deliverest the poor from 
him that is too strong for him ; yea, the 
poor and the needy from him that spoil- 
eth him ? False witnesses did rise up . 

^ Ps. 102: 17. ^ Ps. 146: 9, 10. 

8 Ps. 41 : 10. * Ps. 40 : 17. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 85 

they laid to my charge things that I 
knew not. Lord, how long wilt thou 
look on? rescue my soal from their de- 
structions. I will give thee thanks in 
the great congregation : I will praise 
thee among much people. Let not them 
that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice 
over me ; neither let them wink with the 
eye that hate me without a cause. For 
they speak not peace : but they devise 
deceitful matters against them that are 
quiet in the land. Yea, they opened their 
mouth wide against me, and said, Aha ! 
aha ! our eye hath seen it. This thou hast 
seen, O Lord : keep not silence : Lord, be 
not far from me. Stir up thyself, and awake 
to my judgment, even unto my cause, my 
God and my Lord. Judge me, O Lord my 
God, according to thy righteousness; and 
let thcQi not rejoice over me. Let them 
not say in their hearts, Ah ! so would we 
8 



86 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

have it : let them not say, We have 
swallowed him up Let them shout for 
joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous 
cause ; yea, let them say continually. Let 
the Lord be magnified, w^ho hath pleasure 
in the prosperity of his servant. And my 
tongue shall speak of thy righteousness 
and of thy praise all the day long/ 



FRET not thyself because of evil- 
doers, neither be thou envious against 
the workers of iniquity : for they shall 
soon be cut down like the grass, and 
wither as the green herb. Trust in the 
Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell 
in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 
Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and he 
shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 
Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust 
also in him; and he shall bring it to 

*Ps. 35: 9-11, 17-28. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 87 

pass ; and he shall bring forth thy right- 
eousness as the light, and thy judgment 
as the noon-day. Rest in the Lord, and 
wait patiently for him : fret not thyselt 
because of him who prospereth in his 
way, because of the man who bringeth 
wdcked devices to pass. Cease from an- 
ger, and forsake wrath : fret not thyself 
in any wise to do evil. For evil-doers 
shall be cut off: but those that wait upon 
the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. 
For yet a little while, and the wicked 
shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently 
consider his place, and it shall not be. 
But the meek shall inherit the earth ; and 
shall delight themselves in the abundance 
of peace. The wicked plotteth against the 
just, and gnasheth upon him with his 
teeth. The wicked have drawn out the 
sword, and have bent their bow, to cast 
down the poor and needy, and to slay 



88 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

such as be of upright conversation. A 
little that a righteous man hath is better 
than the riches of many wicked. The 
Lord knoweth the days of the upright : 
and their inheritance shall be for ever. 
They shall not be ashamed in the evil 
time : and in the days of famine they 
shall be satisfied. The steps of a good 
man are ordered by the Lord : and he 
delighteth in his way. Though he fall, 
he shall not be utterly cast down ; for the 
Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I 
have been young, and now I am old ; yet 
have I not seen the righteous forsaken, 
nor his seed begging bread. He is ever 
merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is 
blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; 
and dwell for evermore. For the Lord 
loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his 
saints ; they are preserved for ever. But 
the tiansgressors shall be destroyed to- 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 89 

gether ; the end of the Mdcked shall be 
cut off. But the salvation of the right- 
eous is of the Lord : he is their strength 
in the time of trouble. And the Lord 
shall help them, and deliver them : he 
stall deliver them from the v^icked, and 
save them, because they trust in him.^ 



PRAISE FOR DIVINE PROTEC- 
TION AMID THE TRIALS OF 
DOMESTIC LIFE. 

THE angel of the Lord encampeth 
round about them that fear him, and de- 
livereth them. The eyes of the Lord are 
upon the righteous, and his ears are open 
unto their cry. The righteous cry, and 
the Lord heareth, and delivereth them 

^ Ps. 37 ; 1-12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 23-28, 39, 40. 
8* 



90 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

out of all their troubles. Many are the 
afflictions of the righteous : but the Lord 
delivereth him out of them all. The 
Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants : 
and none of them that trust in him shall 
be desolate/ Surely the Lord hath looked 
upon my affliction ^ I will praise thee 
with my whole heart : before the m ighty 
will I sing praise unto thee. I will wor- 
ship toward thy holy temple, and praise 
thy name for thy loving-kindness, and 
for thy truth: for thy hast magnified thy 
word above all thy name. In the day 
when I cried thou answeredst me, and 
strengthenedst me with strength in my 
soul. Though the Lord be high, yet 
hath he respect unto the lowly : but the 
proud he knoweth a far off. Though I 
walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt 

^ Ps. 34 : 7, 15, 17, 19, 22. ^ Gen. 29 : 32, 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 91 

revive me, and thy right hand shall save 
me. The Lord v^ill perfect that which 
concerneth me : thy mercy, O Lord, en- 
dureth for ever : forsake not the works of 
thine own hands/ My soul doth mag- 
nify the Lord, and my spirit hath re- 
joiced in God my Saviour. For he hath 
regarded the low estate of his hand- 
maiden : for he that is mighty hath done 
to me great things; and holy is his 
name.2 



MORNING PRAYERS. 

GIVE ear to my words, O Lord, con- 
sider my meditation. Hearken unto the 
voice of my cry, my King, and my God ; 
for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt 

* Ps. 138 : 1-3, 6-8. ^ Luke 1 : 46-50. 



92 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

thou hear in the morning, O Lord ; in 
the morning will I direct my prayer un- 
to thee, and will look up. For thou art 
not a God that hath pleasure in wicked- 
ness : neither shall evil dwell with thee. 
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight; 
thou hatest all workers of iniquity. But 
let all those that put their trust in thee 
rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, be- 
cause thou defendest them : let them also 
that love thy name be joyful in thee. For 
thou. Lord, wilt bless the righteous; 
with favour wilt thou compass him as 
with a shield.* Therefore I will sing of 
thy power: yea, I will sing aloud of thy 
mercy in the morning : for thou hast been 
my defence and refuge in the day of my 
trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will 
I sing : for God is my defence, and the 
God of my mercy. ^ 

* Ps. 5: 1, 5, 11, 12. 2 Ps. 59 : 16, 17. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 93 

IT is a good thing to give thanks unto 
the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy 
name, O Most High : to show forth thy 
loving-kindness in the morning and thy 
faithfulness every night/ For thou, 

Lord, art a shield for me ; my glory, 
and the lifter up of mine head. I cried 
unto the Lord with my voice, and he 
heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. 

1 laid me dov^n and slept ; I awaked ; 
for the Lord sustained me. Salvation 
belongeth unto the Lord : thy blessing 
is upon thy people. Selah.^ 



LORD, thou hast been our dwelling- 
place in all generations. Before the 
mountains w^ere brought forth, or ever 
thou hadst formed the earth and the 
world, even from everlasting to everlast- 
ing, thou art God. Thou turnest man to 

*Ps. 92: 1,2. aPs. 3: 3-5,8. 



94 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

destruction ; and sayest, Return, ye chil- 
dren of men. For a thousand years in 
thy sight are but as yesterday when it is 
past, and as a watch in the night. Thou 
carriest them away as with a flood, they 
are as a sleep : in the morning they 
are like grass which groweth up. In the 
morning it flourisheth, and groweth up ; 
in the evening it is cut down and wither- 
eth. For we are consumed by thine 
anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. 
Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, 
our secret sins in the light of thy coun- 
tenance. For all our days are passed 
away in thy wrath : we spend our years, 
as a tale that is told The days of our 
years are threescore years and ten ; and 
if by reason of strength they be fourscore 
years, yet is their strength labour and 
sorrow ; for it is soon cut off, and we fly 
away. Who knoweth the power of thine 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 95 

anger? even according to thy fear, so is 
thy wrath. So teach us to number our 
days, that we may apply our hearts unto 
wisdom. Return, O Lord, how long? 
and let it repent thee concerning thy 
servants. O satisfy us early with thy 
mercy ; that w^e may rejoice and be glad 
all our days. Make us glad according 
to the days wherein thou hast afflicted 
us, and the years wherein we have seen 
evil. Let thy work appear unto thy ser- 
vants, and thy glory unto their children. 
And let the beauty of the Lord our God 
be upon us; and establish thou the work 
of our hands upon us : yea, the work of 
our hands establish thou it.^ 

* Ps. 90. 



96 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 



EVENING PRAYERS. 

LORD, I cry unto thee ; make haste 
unto me ; give ear unto my voice, when 
I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set 
forth before thee as incense; and the 
lifting up of my hands as the evening 
sacrifice/ Show thy marvellous loving- 
kindness, O thou that savest by thy right 
hand them which put their trust in thee. 
Keep me as the apple of the eye : hide 
me under the shadow of thy wings. 
From the wicked that oppress me, from 
my deadly enemies, who compass me 
about.^ Therefore I will both lay me 
down in peace, and sleep : for thou, Lord 
only makest me dwell in safety. ^ 

^ Ps. 141 : 1, 2. a ps. 17 . 7^9. s pg. 4 : 8. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 97 

HE that dwelleth in the secret place 
of the Most High shall abide under the 
shadow of the Almighty. I will say of 
the Lord, he is my refuge and my fort- 
ress : my God; in him will I trust. 
Surely he shall deliver thee from the 
snare of the fowler, and from the noisome 
pestilence. He shall cover thee with his 
feathers, and under his wings shalt thou 
trust : his truth shall be thy shield and 
buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for 
the terror by night; nor for the arrow 
that fiieth by day; nor for the pestilence 
that walketh in the darkness; nor for 
the destruction that w^asteth at noonday. 
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten 
thousand at thy right hand ; but it shall 
not come nigh thee. Only wnth thine 
eyes shalt thou behold and see the re- 
ward of the wicked : because thou hast 
made the Lord which is my refuge^ even 
9 



98 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

the Most High, thy habitation. There 
shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any 
plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he 
shall give his angels charge over thee, to 
keep thee in all thy ways/ 



PRAYERS AT MEALS. 

BEHOLD, the eye of the Lord is upon 
them that fear him, upon them that hope 
in his mercy; to deliver their soul from 
death, and to keep them alive in famine. 
Our soul waiteth for the Lord : he is our 
help and our shield. For our heart shall 
rejoice in him, because we have trusted 
in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O 
Lord, be upon us, according as we hope 
in thee."^ 



^Ps. 91: 1-11. aps. 33: i8_22. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 99 

THE Lord is gracious, and full of com- 
passion ; slow to anger, and of great 
mercy. The Lord is good to all : and 
his tender mercies are over all his works. 
The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and 
raiseth up all those that be bowed down. 
The eyes of all wait upon thee ; and thou 
givest them their meat in due season. 
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest 
the desire of every living thing. The 
Lord is righteous in all his ways, and 
holy in all his works.* 



TWO things have I required of thee ; 
deny me them not before I die : remove 
far from me vanity and lies; give me 
neither poverty nor riches; feed me 
with food convenient for me : lest I be 
full, and deny thee, and say. Who is the 

iPs. 145: 8,9, 14-17. 



100 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and 
take the name of my God in vain/ 



BLESS the Lord, O my soul; and all 
that is within me, bless his holy name. 
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget 
not all his benefits : who satisfieth thy 
mouth with good things; so that thy 
youth is renewed like the eagle's. The 
Lord executeth righteousness and judg- 
ment for all that are oppressed. The 
Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to 
anger, and plenteous in mercy.^ He 
giveth to the beast his food, and to the 
young ravens which cry.^ 



O GIVE thanks unto the Lord; for 
he is good. He giveth food to all flesh : 
for his mercy endureth for ever."* Yea, he 

1 Prov. 80: 7-9. ^ pg. 103: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8. 

3Ps. 147: 9. ^Ps. 136: 1,25. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 101 

provideth for the raven his food : when 
his young ones cry unto God, they wan- 
der for lack of meat/ The young lions 
roar after their prey, and seek their meat 
from God. These wait all upon thee; 
that thou mayest give them their meat in 
due season. That thou givest them, they 
gather: thou openest thine hand, they 
are filled.^ let every thing that hath 
breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the 
Lord.^ 



PRAYER OF CHURCH OR CIVIL 
OFFICERS. 

AND now, O Lord my God, I know 
not how to go out or come in. And thy 
servant is in the midst of thy people 
w^iich thou hast chosen, a great people, 
that cannot be numbered nor counted for 

Uob38:41. ^pg. 104. 21,27,28. ^Fs. 150: 6. 

9* 



102 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

multitude. Give therefore thy servant 
an understanding heart to judge thy peo- 
ple, that I may discern between good 
and bad ; for who is able to judge this 
day so great a people?' See, thou say est 
unto me, Bring up this people : and thou 
hast not let me know whom thou wilt 
send with me. Yet thou hast said, I 
know thee by name, and thou also hast 
found grace in my sight: and consider 
that this nation is thy people. If thy 
presence go not with me, carry us not up 
hence. For wherein shall it be known 
here that I and thy people have found 
grace in thy sight? Is it not that thou 
goest with us? So shall we be separated, 
I and thy people, from all the people that 
are upon the face of the earth.^ For thou 
Lord, art the Lord God, merciful and 
gracious, long suffering, and abundant 

* 1 Kings 3 : 7-9. « Ex. 33 : 12, 13, 15, 16. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 103 

in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for 
thousands, forgiving iniquity and trans- 
gression and sin, and who will by no 
means clear the guilty. If now I have 
found grace in thy sight, Lord, let ray 
Lord, I pray thee, go among us, and par- 
don our iniquity and our sin, and take 
us for thine inheritance.* 



PRAYERS OF A MINISTER. 

LORD, thou art God which hast made 
heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all 
that in them is; who, by the mouth of 
thy servant David hast said, Why did the 
heathen rage, and the people imagine 
vain things? The kings of the earth 
stood up, and the rulers were gathered 
together against the Lord, and against 

^ Ex. 34 : 6, 7, 9. 



104 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

his Christ: for of a truth against thy 
holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anoint- 
ed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with 
the Gentiles, and the people of Israel 
were gathered together, for to do what- 
soever thy hand and thy counsel deter- 
mined before to be done. And now, Lord, 
behold their threatenings: and grant un- 
to thy servants, that with all boldness 
they may speak thy word." And I thank 
Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled 
me, for that he counted me faithful, put- 
ting me into the ministry.^ 



I DELIGHT to do thy will, O my 
God : yea, thy law is within my heart. 
I have preached righteousness in the 
great congregation : lo, I have not refrain- 
ed my lips, Lord, thou knowest. I 
have not hid thy righteousness within 

* Acts 4 : 24-29. « 1 Tim. 1 : 12. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 105 

my heart; I have declared thy faithful- 
ness and thy salvation : I have not con- 
cealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth 
from the great congregation. Withhold 
not thou thy tender mercies from me, O 
Lord: let thy loving-kindness and thy 
truth continually preserve me. For in- 
numerable evils have compassed me 
about: mine iniquities have taken hold 
upon me, so that I am not able to look 
up ; they are more than the hairs of mine 
head : therefore my heart faileth me. Be 
pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, 
make haste to help me. Let all those 
that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee : 
let such as love thy salvation say contin- 
ually. The Lord be magnified. But I 
am poor and needy ; yet the Lord think- 
eth upon me : thou art my help and my 
deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.^ 

^ Ps. 40 : 8-18, 16, 17. 



106 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 



PRAYER WHEN ABOUT TO 
TAKE A JOURNEY. 

IF God will be with me, and wall keep 
me in this way that I go, and will give 
me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 
{surely I am with thee, and will keep 
thee, in all places whither thou goest, 
and will bring thee again into this land : 
for I will tiot leave thee,) so that I come 
again to my father's house in peace ; then 
shall the Lord be my God/ Therefore 
trust in the Lord with all thine heart; 
and lean not unto thine own understand- 
ing. In all thy ways acknowledge him, 
and he shall direct thy paths.^ Finally, 
brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of 
good comfort, be of one mind, live in 
peace; and the God of love and peace 

1 Gen. 28 : 20, 15, 21. ^ Pro v. 3 : 5, 6. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 107 

shall be with you. The grace of the 
Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, 
and the communion of the Holy Ghost, 
be with you all. Amen.^ 



PRAYERS WHEN ON A JOURNEY 
OR IN A DISTANT LAND. 

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and 
known me. Thou knowest my down- 
sitting and mine up-rising, thou under- 
standest my thoughts afar off. Thou 
compassest my path and my lying down, 
and art acquainted with all my ways. 
For there is not a word in my tongue, 
but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altoge- 
ther. Thou hast beset me behind and 
before, and laid thine hand upon me. 

*2Cor. 13: 11, 14. 



108 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for 
me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 
Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or 
whither shall I flee from thy presence? 
If I ascend into heaven, thou art there : 
if I make my bed in hell, behold thou 
art there. If I take the wings of the 
morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts 
of the sea; even there shall thy hand 
lead me, and thy right hand shall hold 
me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall 
cover me ; even the night shall be light 
about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not 
from thee; but the night shineth as the 
day : the darkness and the light are both 
alike to thee. For thou hast possessed 
my reins : thon hast covered me in my 
mother's womb. I will praise thee ; for I 
am fearfully and wonderfully made : 
marvellous are thy works; and that my 
sonl know^eth right well. How precious 



*HE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 109 

also are thy thoughts unto me, O God ! 
how great is the sum of them! If I 
should count them they are more in 
number than the sand : when I awake, I 
am still with thee. Surely thou will 
slay the wicked, God ; depart from me 
therefore, ye bloody men. Search me, O 
God, and know my heart: try me, and 
know my thoughts : and see if there be 
any wicked w^ay in me, and lead me in 
the way everlasting.* 



HE that dwelleth in the secret place 
of the Most High shall abide under the 
shadow of the Almighty. I will say of 
the Lord, He is my refuge and my for- 
tress : my God ; in him will I trust. 
Surely he shall deliver thee from the 
snare of the fowler, and from the noisome 
pestilence. He shall cover thee with his 



* Ps. 139 : 1-14, 17-19, 23, 24. 
10 ' 



110 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

feathers, and under his wings shalt thou 
trust: his truth shall be thy shield and 
buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for 
the terror by night; nor for the arrow 
that flieth by day ; nor for the pestilence 
that walketh in darkness; nor for the 
destruction that wasteth at noon-day. A 
thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten 
thousands at thy right hand ; but it shall 
not come nigh thee. Only with thine 
eyes shalt thou behold and see the re- 
ward of the wdcked. Because thou hast 
made the Lord which is my refuge, even 
the Most High, thy habitation ; there 
shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any 
plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he 
shall give his angels charge over thee, to 
keep thee in all thy ways. They shall 
bear thee up in their hands, lest thou 
dash thy foot against a stone. Thou 
shalt tread upon the lion and adder : the 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. Ill 

young lion and the dragon shalt thou 
trample under feet. Because he hath set 
his love upon me, therefore will I de- 
liver him : I will set him on high, be- 
cause he hath known my name. He 
shall call upon me, and I will answer 
him : I will be with him in trouble ; I 
will deliver him, and honour him. With 
long life will I satisfy him, and show 
him my salvation.^ 



HEAR my cry, O God ; attend unto 
my prayer. From the end of the earth 
will I cry unto thee, when my heart is 
overwhelmed : lead me to the rock that 
is higher than I. For thou hast been a 
shelter for me, and a strong tower from 
the enemy. I will abide in thy taber- 
nacle for ever ; I will trust in the covert 

^ Ps 91. 



] 12 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

of thy wings. Selah. For thou, O God, 
hast heard my vows : thou hast given me 
the heritage of those that fear thy name. 
Therefore will I sing praise unto thy 
name for ever, that I may daily perform 
my vows.^ 



PRAYER OF THE AGED. 

IN thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; 
let me never be put to confusion. De- 
liver me in thy righteousness, and cause 
me to escape : incline thine ear unto me, 
and save me. Be thou my strong habi- 
tation, whereunto I may continually re- 
sort : thou hast given commandment to 
save me ; for thou art my rock and my 
fortress. For thou art my hope, Lord 



^ Ps. 61 : 1-5, 8. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 113 

God : thou art my trust from my youth. 
By thee have I been holden up from the 
womb : thou art he that took me out ot 
my mother's bowels : my praise shall be 
continually of thee. I am as a wonder 
unto many ; but thou art my strong re- 
fuge. Let my mouth be filled with thy 
praise and with thy honour all the day. 
Cast me not off in the time of old age ; 
forsake me not when my strength faileth. 
O God, be not far from me : my God, 
make haste for my help. For I will hope 
continually, and will yet praise thee 
more and more. My mouth shall show 
forth thy righteousness and thy salvation 
all the day; for I know not the number 
thereof I will go in the strength of the 
Lord God ; I will make mention of thy 
righteousness, even of thine only. O 
God, thou hast taught me from my 
youth : and hitherto have I declared thy 
10* 



114 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

wondrous works. Now also when I am 
old and gray-headed, God, forsake me 
not ; until I have showed thy strength 
unto this generation, and thy power to 
every one that is to come. Thy right- 
eousness also, O God, is very high, who 
hast done great things : O God, who is 
like unto thee ? Thou, which hast showed 
me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken 
me again, and shalt bring me up again 
from the depths of the earth. Thou 
shalt increase my greatness, and comfort 
me on every side. I will also praise thee, 
even thy truth, O my God : unto thee 
will I sing with the harp, thou Holy 
One of Israel. My lips shall greatly re- 
joice when I sing unto thee ; and my 
soul, which thou hast redeemed. My 
tongue also shall talk of thy righteous- 
ness all the day long.^ 

iPs. 71: 1-3,5-9, 12, 14-24. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 115 



PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVING 
OF THE DYING CHRISTIAN. 

LORD, make me to know mine end, 
and the measure of my days, what it 
is ; that I may know how frail I am. 
Behold, thou hast made my days as a 
handbreath ; and mine age is as nothing 
before thee : verily every man at his best 
state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely 
every man walketh in a vain show : 
surely they are disquieted in vain : he 
heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who 
shall gather them. And now, Lord, what 
wait I for ? my hope is in thee. Deliver 
me from all my transgressions : make 
me not the reproach of the foolish. I 
was dumb, I opened not my mouth ; be- 
cause thou didst it. Remove thy stroke 
away from me ; I am consumed by the 



116 THE BIBLE PRAYER BOOK. 

blow of thine hand. When thou Vv^th 
rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, 
thou makest his beauty to consume 
away like a moth ; surely every man is 
vanity. Selah. Hear my prayer, O 
Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold 
not thy peace at my tears : for I am a 
stranger with thee and a sojourner, as all 
my fathers w^ere. O spare me, that I 
may recover strength, before I go hence, 
and be no more.^ 



MY days are passed, my purposes are 
broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.^ 
I shall go the way whence I shall not 
return.^ Yet all the days of my appointed 
time will I wait, till my change come.* 
Yet I am continually with thee : thou 
hast holden me by my right hand. Thou 



iPs. 39: 4-13. ^job 17: 11. 

8 Job 16: 22. * Job 14: 14. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 117. 

shalt guide me with thy counsel, and 
afterward receive me to glory. Whom 
have I in heaven but thee ? and there is 
none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 
My flesh and my heart faileth : but God 
is the strength of my heart, and my por- 
tion for ever.^ For I will behold thy 
face in righteousness : I shall be satisfied 
when I awake, with thy likeness.^ For 
in thy presence is fulness of joy ; at thy 
right hand there are pleasures for ever- 
more.^ 



LORD, now lettest thou thy servant 
depart in peace, according to thy word : 
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.* 
For I know that my Redeemer liveth, 
and that he shall stand at the latter day 
upon the earth : and though after my 

^ Ps. 73: 23-26. ^ Ps. 17: 15. 

3Ps. 16: 11. *Luke 2: 29,30. 



118 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

skin worms destroy this body, yet in my 
flesh shall I see God/ 



O DEATH, where is thy sting? O 
grave, where is thy victory? But thanks 
be to God, who giveth us the victory, 
through our Lord Jesus Christ.^ God 
will redeem my soul from the power of \ 
the grave : for he shall receive me. 
Selah.' Yea the Lord shall deliver me 
from every evil work, and will preserve 
me unto his heavenly kingdom ; to whom 
be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^ 
Now let me die the death of the right- 
eous, and let my last end be like his \^ 
Lord Jesus receive my spirit.^ 

* Job 19 : 25, 26. ^ i Cor. 15 : 55, 57. 

3 Ps. 49 : 15. * 2 Tim. 4 : 18. 

5 Num. 23: 10. ^ Acts 7 : 59. 



PART 11. 
RELATIVE PRAYERS. 



(119) 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 121 



PRAYERS FOR RELATIVES. 

THE blessing of the Lord be upon 
you : we bless you in the name of the 
Lord/ He will not suffer thy foot to be 
moved : he that keepeth thee wall not 
slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel 
shall neither slumber nor sleep. The 
Lord is thy keeper : the Lord is tliy 
shade upon thy right hand. The sun 
shall not smite thee by day, nor the 
moon by night. The Lord shall preserve 
thee from all evil : he shall preserve thy 
soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going 
out and thy coming in from this time 
forth, and even for evermore.^ 



THE Lord bless thee, and keep thee: 



*Ps. 129: 8. ^Ps. 121: 3-8. 



122 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

the Lord make his face shine upon thee, 
and be gracious unto thee : the Lord lift 
up his countenance upon thee, and give 
thee peace/ 



PRAYER FOR SUCH AS HAVE 
RENDERED ACTS OF KIND- 
NESS. 

WHY have I found grace in thine 
eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge 
of me, seeing I am a stranger? The 
Lord recompense thy work, and a full 
reward be given thee of the Lord God 
of Israel, under whose wings thou art 
come to trust. Blessed be he that did 
take knowledge of thee. Blessed be he 
of the Lord, who hath not left off his 
kindness to the living.^ 

^ Num. 6 : 24-26. « Ruth 2 : 10, 12, 19, 20. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 123 



PRAYERS FOR BRETHREN IN 
CHRIST. 

HOW excellent is thy loving-kindness, 
O God ! therefore the children of men 
put their trust under the shadow of thy 
wings. They shall be abundantly satis- 
fied with the fatness of thy house; and 
thou shalt make them drink of the river 
of thy pleasures. For with thee is the 
fountain of life : in thy light shall we see 
light. O continue thy loving-kindness 
unto tliem that know thee : and thy 
righteousness to the upright in heart.^ 
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and 
God, even our Father, which hath loved 
us, and hath given us everlasting conso- 
lation and good hope through grace, com- 

1 Ps. 36 : 7-10. 



124 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

fort your hearts, and stablish you in every 
good word and work.^ Peace be to the 
brethren, and love with faith from God 
the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Grace be with all them that love our 
Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.^ 



FINALLY, brethren, farewell: be 
perfect, be of good comfort, be of one 
mind, live in peace ; and the God of love 
and peace shall be with you. The grace 
of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of 
God, and the communion of the Holy 
Ghost be with you all. Amen.^ 



1 2 Thess. 2 : 15-17. ^ gph. 6 : 23, 24. 

3 2 Cor. 13: 11, 14. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 125 



PRAYER FOR AN ANXIOUS 
SINNER. 

OH that one would hear me ! behold, 
my desire is, that the Almighty would 
answer me/ O that one might plead for 
a man with God, as a man pleadeth for 
his neighbour!^ Moreover as for me, 
God forbid that I should sin against the 
Lord in ceasing to pray for you.^ Yea, 
without ceasing, I have remembrance of 
thee in my prayers, night and day.^ Go 
in peace, and the God of Israel grant thee 
thy petition that thou hast asked of him.^ 

* Job 81: 35. ^ Job 16: 21. 

8 1 Sam. 12 : 23. * 2 Tim. 1 : 3. 

5 1 Sam. 1 : 17. 

11* 



i 



SECOND DIVISION 
OF 

PAUT 11. 

SOCIAL PRAYERS. 



(127) 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 129 



PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVING 
AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF 
PUBLIC WORSHIP. 

THIS is the day which the Lord hath 
made ; we w^ill rejoice and be glad in it.* 
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all 
ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness : 
come before his presence with singing. 
Know ye that the Lord he is God : it is 
he that hath made us, and not we our- 
selves ; we are his people, and the sheep 
of his pasture. Enter into his gates 
with thanksgiving, and into his courts 
with praise : be thankful unto him, and 
bless his name. For the Lord is good ; 
his mercy is everlasting ; and his truth 
endureth to all generations."^ 

* Ps. 118: 24. aPs. 100. 



130 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

AND he shall judge among many 
people, and rebuke strong nations afar 
oif ; and they shall beat their swords 
into ploughshares, and their spears into 
pruning-hooks : nation shall not lift up 
sword against nation, neither shall they 
learn war any more/ I was glad w^hen 
they said unto me, Let us go into the 
house of the Lord.^ I will come into thy 
house in the multitude of thy mercy ; 
and in thy fear will I w^orship toward thy 
holy temple.^ Hear the voice of my sup- 
plications, w^hen I cry unto thee, w^hen I 
lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.* 
Then I will declare thy name unto my 
brethren : in the midst of the congrega- 
tion will I praise thee.*^ For Lord, I have 
loved the habitation of thy house, and the 
place where thine honour dwelleth.^ One 

1 Micah4: 3. ^ pg, ]22: ]. 

3 Ps. 5:7. ^ Ps. 2S : 2. 

* Ps. 22 : 22. « Ps. 26 : 8. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 131 

thing have I desired of the Lord, that 
will I seek after ; that I may dwell in 
the house of the Lord all the days of my 
life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, 
and to inquire in his temple. For in the 
time of trouble he shall hide me in his 
pavilion : in the secret of his tabernacle 
shall he hide me; he shall set me up up- 
on a rock. Therefore will I offer in his 
tabernacle sacrifices of joy ; I will sing, 
yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. 
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my 
voice : have mercy also upon me, and 
answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye 
my face ; my heart said unto thee, Thy 
face. Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy 
face far from me; put not thy servant 
away in anger : thou hast been my help ; 
leave me not, neither forsake me, O God 
of my salvation. When my father and 
my mother forsake me, then the Lord 



182 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

will take me up. Teach me thy way, 
O Lord, and lead me in a plain path/ 



PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVING 
AT THE CONCLUSION OF PUB- 
LIC WORSHIP. 

PRESERVE me, O God : for in thee 
do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast 
said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord : 
my goodness extendeth not to thee; but 
to the saints that are in the earth, and to 
the excellent, in whom is all my delight. 
The Lord is the portion of mine inherit- 
ance and of my cup : thou maintainest 
my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in 
pleasant places ; yea, I have a goodly 
heritage. I will bless the Lord, who 

* Ps. 27 : 4-11. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 133 

hath given me counsel : my reins also 
instruct me in the night seasons. I 
have set the Lord always before me : 
because he is at my right hand, I shall 
not be moved. Therefore my heart is 
glad, and my glory rejoiceth : my flesh 
also shall rest in hope. Thou wilt show 
me the path of life : in thy presence is 
fulness of joy ; at thy right hand there 
are pleasures for evermore.^ 



BLESSED be the Lord, because he 
hath heard the voice of my suppHcation. 
The Lord is my strength, and my shield, 
my heart trusted in him, and I am 
helped : therefore my heart greatly re- 
joiceth; and with my song will I praise 
him. The Lord is their strength, and 
he is the saving strength of his anoint- 
ed. Save thy people, and bless thine 

^Ps. 16: 1-3, 5-9, 11. 
12 



134 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

inheritance : feed them also, and lift them 
np for ever/ The Lord will give strength 
unto his people ; the Lord v^ill bless his 
people with peace. ^ For this God is our 
God for ever and ever : he will be our 
guide even unto death. ^ Trust in him 
at all times ; ye people, pour out your 
heart before him : God is a refuge for us. 
Selah. Unto thee, O Lord, belongeth 
mercy : for thou renderest to every man 
according to his work.^ O Lord our 
liord, how excellent is thy name in all 
the earth/ 



THE Lord bless thee, and keep thee : 
the Lord make his face shine upon thee, 
and be gracious unto thee : the Lord lift 
up his countenance upon thee, and give 



1 Ps. 28, 6-9. ^ Ps. 29 : 11. ^pg. 48 : 14. 

*Ps. 62: 8, 12. ^ Ps. 8 : 9. 



THE BIBLE PRAYEE-BOOK. 135 

thee peace/ Amen. Blessing, and glory, 
and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and 
honour, and power, and might, be unto 
our God for ever and ever. Amen.'' 



PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH IN 
A LOW STATE. 

LET us go speedily to pray before the 
Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts.^ 
Let us draw near wath a true heart, in 
full assurance of faith, having our hearts 
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and 
our bodies washed with pure water. Let 
US hold fast the profession of our faith 
without wavering; for he is faithful that 
promised : and let us consider one an- 
other, to provoke unto love, and to good 

* Numb. 6 : 24-26. « Rev. 7 : 12. ^ Zech. 8: 21. 



136 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

works : not forsaking the assembling of 
ourselves together, as the manner of 
some is ; but exhorting one another ; and 
so much the more, as ye see the day 
approaching. For if we sin wilfully 
after that we have received the know- 
ledge of the truth, there remaineth no 
more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fear- 
ful looking for of judgment and fiery in- 
dignation, which shall devour the adver- 
saries/ Yea, let us therefore come 
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we 
may obtain mercy, and find grace to help 
in time of need."^ 



O MY God, I am ashamed and blush 
to lift up my face to thee, my God : for 
our iniquities are increased over our head, 
and our trespass is grown up unto the 
heavens. Since the days of our fathers 

* Heb. 10 : 22-27. ^ Heb. 4 : 16. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 137 

have we been in a great trespass unto 
this day. Our God hath not forsaken 
us in our bondage, but hath extended 
mercy unto us. And now, O our God, 
what shall we say after this? for we have 
forsaken thy commandments, which thou 
hast commanded by thy servants, the 
rophets. And after all that is come 
upon us for our evil deeds, and for our 
great trespass, (seeing that thou our God 
hast punished us less than our iniquities 
deserved, and hast given us such deliver- 
ance as this,) should we again break thy 
commandments? O Lord God, thou art 
righteous : for we remain yet escaped, as 
it is this day : behold, we are before thee 
in our trespasses : for we cannot stand 
before thee because of this.^ 



LORD God of Israel, there is no God 

^ Ezra 9: 6, 7,9-11, 13-15. 

12^ 



138 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

like thee, in heaven above, or on earth 
beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy 
with thy servants that walk before thee 
with all their heart. Yet have thou re- 
spect unto the prayer of thy servant, and 
to his supplication, O Lord my God, to 
hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, 
which thy servant prayeth before thee 
to day. The Lord our God be with us, 
as he was with our fathers : let him not 
leaA^e us, nor forsake us : that he may 
incline our hearts unto him, to walk in 
all his ways, and to keep his command- 
ments, and his statutes, and his judg- 
ments, w^hich he commanded our fathers. 
And let these mv words, wherewith I 
have made supplication before the Lord, 
be nigh unto the Lord our God day and 
night, that he maintain the cause of his 
servant, and the cause of his people at 
all times, as the matter shall require: 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 139 

that all the people of the earth may 
know that the Lord is God, and that 
there is none else/ 



OH that thou wouldest rend the hea- 
vens, that thou wouldest come down. 
For there is none that calleth upon thy 
name, that stirreth up himself to take 
hold of thee : for thou hast hid thy face 
from us, and hast consumed us, because 
of our iniquities.^ Take aw^ay all ini- 
quity, and receive us graciously.^ O 
Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the 
years, in the midst of the years make 
known; in wrath remember mercy.* 
Turn us, O God our salvation, and cause 
thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt 
thou be angry with us for ever ? wilt 
thou draw out thine anger to all genera- 

1 1 Kings 8: 28, 28, 57-60. ^ Is. 64 : 1, 7. 
^Hos. 14: 2. 4Hab. 8: 2. 



140 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

tions? Wilt thou not revive us again: 
that thy people may rejoice in thee? 
Show us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant 
us thy salvation. I will hear what God 
the Lord will speak : for he will speak 
peace unto his people, and to his saints; 
but let them not turn again to folly. 
Surely his salvation is nigh them that 
fear him ; that glory may dwell in our 
land. Mercy and truth are met toge- 
ther : righteousness and peace have kissed 
each other. Truth shall spring out of 
the earth ; and righteousness shall look 
down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall 
give that which is good; and our land 
shall yield her increase. Righteousness 
shall go before him ; and shall set us in 
the way of his steps. ^ 



COME, and let us return unto the 

^ Ps. 85 : 4-13. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 141 

Lord : for he hath torn, and he will heal us ; 
he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 
Then shall we know, if we follow on to 
know the Lord : his going forth is pre- 
pared as the morning ; and he shall come 
unto us as the rain, as the latter and 
former rain unto the earth. ^ Behold, as 
the eyes of servants look unto the hand 
of their masters, and as the eyes of a 
maiden unto the hand of her mistress ; 
so our eyes wait upon the Lord our 
God, until that he have mercy upon us. 
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have 
mercy upon us : for we are exceedingly 
filled with contempt. Our soul is ex- 
ceedingly filled with the scorning of those 
that are at ease, and with the contempt 
of the proud. ^ Turn us again, O Lord 
God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; 
and we shall be saved.^ 

* Hos. 6 : 1, 3. 2 Ps. 123 : 2-4. ^ pg. 80 : 19. 



142 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

HOW long, Lord ? wilt thou be angry 
for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like 
fire? O remember not against us former 
iniquities : let thy tender mercies speedily 
prevent us : for we are brought very low. 
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the 
glory of thy name ; and deliver us, and 
purge away our sins, for thy name's 
sake. So we thy people and sheep of 
thy pasture will give thee thanks for 
ever : we will show forth thy praise to 
all generations.^ And if we have forgot- 
ten the name of our God, and stretched 
out our hands to a strange god : shall not 
God search this out ? for he knoweth the 
secrets of the heart. Yea, for thy sake 
are we killed all the day long; we are 
counted as sheep for the slaughter. 
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? 
arise, cast us not off for ever. Wherefore 

^ Ps. 79 : 5, 8, 9, 13. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 143 

hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our 
affliction and our oppression ? For our 
soul is bowed down to the dust: our 
belly cleaveth unto the earth. Arise for 
our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' 
sake.' 



HELP, Lord; for the godly man 
ceaseth ; for the faithful fail from among 
the children of men. They speak vanity 
every one with his neighbour : with flat- 
tering lips and with a double heart do 
they speak. ^ Therefore I beseech thee, 
Lord God of heaven, the great and 
terrible God, that keepeth covenant and 
mercy for them that love him and observe 
his commandments: let thine ear now 
be attentive, and thine eyes open, that 
thou mayest hear the prayer of thy ser- 

*Ps. 44: 20-26. ^ Ps. 12: 1,2. 



144 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

vant, which I pray before thee now, day 
and night. We have dealt very cor- 
ruptly against thee, and have not kept 
the commandments nor the statutes, nor 
the judgments, which thou commandedst 
thy servant Moses. Now these are thy 
servants and thy people, whom thou hast 
redeemed by thy great power, and by thy 
strong hand. O Lord, I beseech thee, 
let now thine ear be attentive to the 
prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer 
of thy servants, who desire to fear thy 
name.^ And now, I beseech thee, let the 
power of my Lord be great, according 
as thou hast spoken, saying : The Lord 
is long-suffering, and of great mercy, 
forgiving iniquity and transgression, and 
by no means clearing the guilty, visit- 
ing the iniquity of the fathers upon the 

' Neh. 1 : 5-7, 10, 11. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 145 

children unto the third and fourth gene- 
ration. Pardon, I beseech thee, the ini 
quity of this people according unto the 
greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast 
forgiven this people hitherto.^ 



IF now I have found grace in thy 
sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, 
go among us, (for it is a stiif-necked 
people,) and pardon our iniquity and 
our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.^ 
Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot 
against thy people V O God, the God 
of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man 
sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the 
congregation ?* Moreover as for me, God 
forbid that I should sin against the Lord 
in ceasing to pray for you?" Our Lord 

1 Numb. 14 : 17-19. ^ Ex. 84: 9. 

8 Ex. 82: 11. *Numb. 16: 22. 

« 1 Sam. 12 : 23. 

13 



146 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

Jesus Christ himself, and God, even onr 
Father, who hath loved us, and hath 
given us everlasting consolation and good 
hope through grace, comfort your hearts, 
and stablish you in every good v^ord and 
work/ 



PRAYERS AND PRAISE OF THE 
CHURCH IN A STATE OF RE- 
VIVAL. 

NOT unto us, O Lord, not unto us, 
but unto thy name give glory, for thy 
mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Where- 
fore should the heathen say, Where is 
now their God ? But our God is in the 
heavens; he hath done whatsoever he 
pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, 
the work of men's hands. They have 

^2Thes. 2: 16, 17. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 147 

mouths, but they speak not : eyes have 
they, but they see not : they have ears, 
but they hear not : noses have they, 
but they smell not : they have hands, but 
they handle not : feet have they, but they 
walk not : neither speak they through 
their throat. They that make them are 
like unto them ; so is every one that 
trusteth in them. O Israel, trust thou in 
the Lord : he is their help and their 
shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the 
Lord : he is their help and their shield. 
Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord : 
he is their help and their shield. The 
Lord hath been mindful of us : he will 
bless us. He will bless them that fear 
the Lord, both small and great. The 
Lord shall increase you more and more, 
you and your children. Ye are blessed 
of the Lord who made heaven and earth. 
But we will bless the Lord from this 



148 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

time forth and for evermore. Praise the 
Lord/ 



THE Lord hath done great things for 
us; whereof we are glad. Turn again 
our captivity, O Lord. They who sow 
in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth 
forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, 
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, 
bringino: his sheaves with him.^ 



THOU hast a mighty arm : strong is 
thy right hand, and high is thy right 
hand. Justice and judgment are the 
habitation of thy throne ; mercy and 
truth shall go before thy face. Blessed 
is the people that know the joyful sound : 
they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of 
thy countenance. In thy name shall 
they rejoice all the day : and in thy 

* Ps. 115: 1-15, 18. 3 Ps. 126 : 3-6. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 149 

righteousness shall they be exalted. For 
thou art the glory of their strength ; and 
in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. 
For the Lord is our defence; and the 
Holy One of Israel is our King.^ Who 
is like unto thee, O Lord, among the 
gods ? who is like thee, glorious in holi- 
ness, fearful in praises, doing wonders ? 
For thou in thy mercy hast led forth the 
people which thou hast redeemed : thou 
hast guided them in thy strength unto 
thy holy habitation. The Lord shall 
reign for ever and ever.^ 

* Ps. 89: 13-18. ^ Ex 15 : 11, 13, 18. 



19* 



160 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 



PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH IN 
TIMES OF PERSECUTION. 

THEY that trust in the Lord shall 
be as Mount Zion, which cannot be re- 
moved, but abideth for ever. As the 
mountains are round about Jerusalem, so 
the Lord is round about his people from 
henceforth even for ever. For the rod 
of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot 
of the righteous; lest the righteous put 
forth their hands unto iniquity. Do 
good, O Lord, unto those that be good, 
and to them that are upright in their 
hearts. As for such as turn aside unto 
their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead 
them forth with the workers of iniquity : 
but peace shall be upon Israel.^ 

* Ps. 125. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 151 

O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou 
not have mercy ?' Surely thou shalt arise, 
and have mercy upon Zion ; for the time 
to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. 
For thy servants take pleasure in her 
stones, and favour the dust thereof So 
the heathen shall fear the name of the 
Lord : and all the kings of the earth thy 
glory. When the Lord shall build up 
Zion, he shall appear in his glory. He 
will regard the prayer of the destitute, 
and not despise their prayer. This 
shall be written for the generation to 
come : and the people which shall be 
created shall praise the Lord. For he 
hath looked down from the height of his 
sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord 
behold the earth. To hear the groaning 
of the prisoner ; to loose those that are 
appointed to death ; to declare the name 

^ Zech. 1 : 12. 



152 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

of the Lord in Zion; when the people 
are gathered together, and the kingdoms, 
to serve the Lord/ 



HOW long, O Lord, holy and trne, 
dost thou not judge and avenge our blood 
on them that dwell on the earth ?^ Yet 
it is a faithful saying : for if we be dead 
with thee, we shall also live with thee : if 
we suffer, we shall also reign with thee.^ 
Though we are troubled on every side, 
yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but 
not in despair; persecuted, but not for- 
saken; cast down, but not destroyed; 
always bearing about in the body the 
dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life 
also of Jesus might be made manifest in 
our body. For we who live are always 
delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, 

1 Ps. 102: 13-22. « Rev. 6: 10. 

3 2 Tim. 2: 11, 12. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 153 

that the life also of Jesus might be made 
manifest in our mortal flesh/ 



BLESSED be God, even the Father 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of 
mercies, and the God of all comfort : who 
comforteth us in all our tribulation, that 
we may be able to comfort them who are 
in any trouble by the comfort wherewith 
we ourselves are comforted of God. For 
as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, 
so our consolation also aboundeth by 
Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it 
is for your consolation and salvation, 
which is effectual in the enduring of the 
same sufferings which we also suffer : or 
whether we be comforted, it is for your 
consolation.^ For blessed are ye when 
men shall hate you, and when they shall 
separate you from their company, and 



^ 2 Cor. 4:8-11. ^ 2 Cor. 1 : 3-6. 



154 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

shall reproach jou, and cast out your 
^name as evil, for the son of man's sake. 
Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: 
for behold, your reward is great in hea- 
ven: for in like manner did their fathers 
unto the prophets/ For all things are 
for your sakes, that the abundant grace 
might, through the thanksgiving of many, 
redound to the glory of God. For which 
cause we faint not; but though our 
outward man perish, yet the inward 
man is renewed day by day. For our 
light affliction, which is but for a moment, 
worketh for us a far more exceeding and 
external weight of glory ; while we look 
not at the things which are seen, but at 
the things which are not seen ; for the 
things which are seen are temporal ; but 
the things which are not seen are eter- 
nal.^ Let us be glad and rejoice, and 

* Luke 6 : 22., 23. ^ 2 Cor. 4 : 15-18. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 155 

give honour to him. Praise our God, all 
ye his servants, and ye that fear him, 
both small and great. HALLELUJAH ! 
for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.^ 

^ Rev. 19 : 7, 5, 6. 



THIRD DIVISION 

OF 

PAET II. 
NATIONAL PRAYERS. 



14 (157) 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 169 



NATIONAL PRAYER AND SUP- 
PLICATION FOR DELIVER- 
ANCE FROM FOREIGN FOES. 

O LORD God, thou art the God, even 
thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the 
earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. 
Lord, bow down thine ear, and hear; 
open, Lord, thine eyes and see. Now 
therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech 
thee, save thou us out of his hand, that 
all the kingdoms of the earth may know 
that thou art the Lord God, even thou 
only.^ For, O Lord God of our fathers, 
art not thou God in heaven? and rulest 
not thou over all the kingdoms of the 
heathen? and in thine hand is there not 
power and might, so that none is able to 
v^ithstand thee? Art not thou our God, 

^ 2 Kings 19 : 15, 16, 19. 



160 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

who didst drive out the inhabitants of 
this land before thy people? Behold, 
how they reward us, to come to cast us 
out of thy possession, which thou hast 
given us to inherit. O our God, wilt 
thou not judge them? for we have no 
might against this great company that 
Cometh against us; neither know we 
what to do : but our eyes are upon thee/ 



NATIONAL CONFESSION OF 

SIN. 

BLESSED be thy glorious name, 
which is exalted above all blessing and 
praise. Thou, even thou, art Lord 
alone; thou hast made heaven, the 
heaven of heavens, with all their host, 

*2Chron. 20: 6, 7, 11, 12. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 161 

the earth, and all things that are therein, 
the seas, and all that is therein, and thou 
preservest them all ; and the host ot 
heaven worshippeth thee. Thou art a 
God ready to pardon, gracious and mer- 
ciful, slow to anger, and of great kind- 
ness, and forsookest them not. Howbeit, 
thou art just in all that is brought upon 
us ; for thou hast done right, but we have 
done wickedly.^ 



LORD, thou hast been our dwelling- 
place in all generations. Before the 
mountains were brought forth, or ever 
thou hadst formed the earth and the 
world, even from everlasting to everlast- 
ing, thou art God. Thou turnest man to 
destruction ; and say est. Return, ye chil- 
dren of men. For a thousand years in 

^ Neh. 9 : 5, 6, 17, 33. 
14* 



162 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

thy sight are but as yesterday when it is 
past, and as a watch in the night. Thou 
carriest them away as with a flood ; they 
are as a sleep : in the morning they are 
like grass which groweth up. In the 
morning it flourisheth, and groweth up ; 
in the evening it is cut down; and 
withereth. For we are consumed by 
thine anger, and by thy wTath are we 
troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities 
before thee, our secret sins in the light 
of thy countenance. For all our days 
are passed away in thy wrath : w^e spend 
our years as a tale that is told. Who 
knoweth the power of thine anger? even 
according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So 
teach us to number our days, that we 
may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Re- 
turn, O Lord, how long? and let it re- 
pent thee concerning thy servants. O 
satisfy us early with thy mercy ; that we 



I 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 163 

may rejoice and be glad all our days. 
Make us glad according to the days 
wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the 
years wherein we have seen evil. Let 
thy work appear unto thy servants, and 
thy glory unto their children. And let 
the beauty of the Lord our God be upon 
us : and establish thou the work of our 
hands upon us; yea, the work of our 
hands establish thou it.' 



NATIONAL PRAYERS IN TIME 
OF WAR. 

REMEMBER, O Lord, what is come 
upon us? consider, and behold our re- 
proach. Our inheritance is turned to 
strangers, our houses to aliens. We are 
orphans and fatherless, our mothers are 



^Ps. 90: 1-9, 11-17. 



164 THE BIBLE PRAYEH-BOOK. 

as widows. We have drunken our water 
for money ; our wood is sold unto us. Our 
necks are under persecution ; we labour, 
and have no rest. O ur fath ers have sinned, 
and are not; and we have borne their 
iniquities. Servants have ruled over us: 
there is none that doth deliver us out of 
their hand. We get our bread with the 
peril of our lives because of the sword 
of the wilderness. Thou, O Lord, re- 
mainest for ever ; thy throne from gene- 
ration to generation. Wherefore dost 
thou forget us for ever, and forsake us 
so long time ? Turn thou us unto thee, 
O Lord, and we shall be turned ; renew 
our days as of old.^ jFor it is nothing 
with thee to help, whether with many, 
or with them that have no power : help 
us, O Lord our God ; for we rest on thee; 
and in thy name we go against this mul- 

^Lam. 5: 1-5,7-9-19, 21. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 165 

titude. O Lord, thou art our God ; let 
not man prevail against thee/ 



O THAT my head were waters, and 
mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I 
might weep day and night for the slain 
of the daughter of my people.^ Let us 
search and try our ways, and turn again 
to the Lord. Till the Lord look down, 
and behold from heaven.^ 



O LORD, the great and dreadful 
God, keeping the covenant and mercy 
to them that love him, and to them 
that keep his commandments; we have 
sinned, and have committed iniquity, 
and have done wickedly, and have re- 
belled, even by departing from thy pre- 
cepts and from thy judgments : neither 
have we hearkened unto thy servants the 

» 2 Chron. 14 : 11.^ Jer. 9 : 1. « Lam. 3 : 40, 50. 



166 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

prophets, who spake in thy name to our 
kings, our princes, and our fathers, and 
to all the people of the land. O Lord, 
righteousness belongeth unto thee, but 
unto us confusion of faces, as at this 
day ; (to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, 
and unto all Israel, that are near, and 
that are far off, through all the countries 
whither thou hast driven them, because 
of their trespass that they have trespassed 
against thee.) O Lord, to us belongeth 
confusion of face, to our kings, to our 
princes, and to our fathers. To the Lord 
our God belong mercies and forgive- 
nesses, though we have rebelled against 
him. Neither have we obeyed the voice 
of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws 
which he set before us by his servants 
the prophets. And he hath confirmed 
his words, which he spake against us, 
and against our judges that judge us, by 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 167 

bringing upon us a great evil: for under 
the whole heaven hath not been done 
as hath been done upon Jerusalem : yet 
made we not our prayer before the 
Lord our God, that we might turn from 
our iniquities, and understand thy truth. 
Therefore hath the Lord watched upon 
the evil, and brought it upon us : for the 
Lord our God is righteous in all his 
works which he doeth ; for we obeyed 
not his voice. We have sinued, we have 
done wickedly. Now therefore, O our 
God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and 
his supplications, and cause thy face to 
shine upon thy sanctuary that is deso- 
late, for the Lord's sake. O my God, 
incline thine ear, and hear : open thine 
eyes, and behold our desolations, and the 
city which is called by thy name : for we 
do not present our supplications before 
thee for oar righteousness but for thy 



168 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

great mercies. O Lord, bear; O Lord, 
forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer 
not, for thine own sake.^ 



PRAISE AND THANSGIVING 
FOR DELIVERANCE. 

O CLAP your hands, all ye people, 
shont unto God with the voice of triumph. 
For the Lord Most High is terrible ; he 
is a great King over all the earth. He 
shall subdue the people under us, and 
the nations under our feet. God is gone 
up with a shout, the Lord with the sound 
of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing 
praises : sing praises unto our King, 
sing praises. For God is the King of all 
the earth: sing ye praises with under- 

^ Dan. 9: 4-10, 12-15, 17-19. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 169 

standing. God reigneth over the heathen : 
God sitteth upon the throne of his holi- 
ness. The princes of the people are 
gathered together, for the shields of the 
earth belong unto God : he is greatly 
exalted.^ 



THE Lord hath done great things for 
us ; whereof we are glad.^ Jor if it had 
not been the Lord who was on our side, 
when men rose up against us : then they 
had swallowed us up quickly, when their 
wrath was kindled against us : then the 
waters had overwhelmed us, the stream 
had gone over our soul : then the proud 
waters had gone over our soul. Blessed be 
the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey 
to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a 
bird out of the snare of the fowlers : the 
snare is broken, and we are escaped. 

3 Ps. 47: 1-3, 5-9. « Ps. 126 : 3. 

15 



170 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who 
made heaven and earth. ^ 



GOD is our refuge and strength, a 
very present help in trouble. Therefore 
v^ill ijot we fear, though the earth be re- 
moved, and though the mountains be 
carried into the midst of the sea ; though 
the waters thereof roar and be troubled, 
though the mountains shake with the 
swelling thereof Selah. There is a 
river the streams whereof shall make 
glad the city of God, the holy place of 
the tabernacles of the Most High. God 
is in the midst of her ; she shall not be 
moved : God shall help her, and that 
right early The heathen raged, the 
kingdoms were moved : he uttered his 
voice, the earth melted. The Lord of 

iPs. 124: 2-8. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 171 

hosts is with us ; the God of Jacob is our 
refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works 
of the Lord, what desolations he hath 
made in the earth. He maketh wars to 
cease unto the end of the earth; he 
breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear 
in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the 
fire. Be still, and know that I am God : 
I will be exalted among the heathen, I 
will be exalted in the earth. The Lord 
of hosts is with us ; the God of Jacob is 
our refuge. Selah.^ 



PRAYERS IN TIME OF FAMINE. 

AFFLICTION cometh not forth of the 
dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the 
ground; yet man is born unto trouble, 

^ Ps. 46. 



172 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

as the sparks fly upward. I would seek 
"uuto God, and unto God would I com- 
mit my cause; who doeth great things 
and unsearchable ; marvellous things 
without number : who giveth rain upon 
the earth, and sendeth waters upon the 
fields : to set up on high those that be 
low : that those who mourn may be ex- 
alted to safety. Behold, happy is the 
man w^hom God correcteth ; therefore 
despise not thou the chastening of the 
Almighty : for he maketh sore and bind- 
eth up; he woundeth, and his hands 
make whole. He shall deliver thee in 
six troubles; yea, in seven there shall 
no evil touch thee. In famine he shall 
redeem thee from death. ^ Behold, the 
eye of the Lord is upon them that fear 
him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 
to deliver their soul from death, and to 

1 Job5: 6-11, 17-20. 



THE BIBLE PRAYEB-BOOK. 173 

keep them alive in famine. Our soul 
waiteth for the Lord ; he is our help 
and our shield. For our heart shall re- 
joice in him ; for we have trusted in his 
holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be 
upon us, according as we hope in thee.* 



WHY hast thou smitten us, and there 
is no healing for us? We looked for 
peace, and there is no good ; and for the 
time of healing, and behold trouble. We 
acknowledge, O Lord our wickedness, 
and the iniquity of our fathers ; for we 
have sinned against thee. Do not abhor 
us, for thy name's sake ; do not disgrace 
the throne of thy glory : remember, 
break not thy covenant with us. Are 
there any among the vanities of the 
heathen that can cause ruin ? or can the 
heavens give showers ? Art not thou 

^ Ps. 33 : 18-22. 
15* 



174 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

He, O Lord our God ? therefore we will 
wait upon thee ; for thou hast made all 
these things/ Although the fig-tree 
shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be 
in the vines; the labour of the olive shall 
fail, and the fields shall yield no meat, 
the flock shall be cut off from the fold, 
and there shall be no herd in the stalls. 
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy 
in the God of my salvation. The Lord 
God is my strength, and he will make 
my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make 
me to w^alk upon my high places. 

1 Jer 14: 19-22. ^ Hab. 3 : 17-19. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 175 



PRAYER IN TIME OF PESTI- 
LENCE. 

HE who dwelletli in the secret place 
of the Most High, shall abide under the 
shadow of the Almighty. I will say of 
the Lord, He is my refuge, and my for- 
tress : my God ; in him will I trust. 
Surely he shall deliver thee from the 
snare of the fowler, and from the noisome 
pestilence. He shall cover thee with his 
feathers, and under his wings shalt thou 
trust ; his truth shall be thy shield and 
buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for 
the terror by night; nor for the arrow that 
flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that 
walketh in darkness; nor for the destruc- 
tion that wasteth at noon-day.^ And 

^Ps. 91: 1-6. 



176 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

now I beseech thee, let the power of my 
Lord be great, according as thou hast 
spoken, saying. The Lord is long-suffer- 
ing, and of great mercy, forgiving iniqui- 
ty and transgression, and by no means 
clearing the guilty ; visiting the iniquity 
of the father upon the children unto the 
third and fourth generation. Pardon, I 
beseech thee, the iniquity of this people, 
according unto the greatness of thy 
mercy, and as thou hast forgiv^en this 
people even until now.* What prayer 
or what supplication soever shall be 
made of any man, or of all thy people, 
when every one shall know his own sore 
and his own grief, and shall spread forth 
his hands ; then hear thou from heaven 
thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and ren- 
der unto every man according unto his 
ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for 

1 Numb. 14 : 17-19. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 177 

thou only knowest the hearts of the chil- 
dren of men.)^ Let us now fall into the 
hands of the Lord, for his mercies are 
manj.^ 



NATIONAL PRAISE AND AC- 
KNOWLEDGMENT OF GOD'S 
GOODNESS. 

SING unto the Lord, all the earth; 
show forth from day to day his salvation. 
Declare his glory among the heathen ; 
his marvellous works among all nations. 
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be 
praised : he also is to be feared above all 
gods. For all the gods of the people are 
idols: but the Lord made the heavens. 
Glory and honour are in his presence; 
strength and gladness are in his place. 

1 2 Chron. 6 : 29, 80. « 2 Lam. 24 : 14. 



178 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the 
people, give unto the Lord glory and 
strength. Give unto the Lord, the glory 
due unto his name : bring an offering, 
and come before him : worship the Lord 
in the beauty of holiness. Fear before 
him, all the earth : the world also shall 
be stable, that it be not moved. Let the 
heavens be glad, and let the earth re- 
joice : and let men say among the nations, 
The Lord reigneth. Let the sea roar, 
and the fulness thereof: let the fields 
rejoice, and all that is therein. Then 
shall the trees of the wood sing out at the 
presence of the Lord, because he cometh 
to judge the earth. O give thanks unto 
the Lord ; for he is good ; for his mercy 
endureth for ever. O God of our salva- 
tion, gather us together, and deliver us 
from the heathen, that we may give 
thanks to thy holy name, and glory in 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 179 

thy praise. Blessed be the Lord God 
for ever and ever.^ 



BLESSED be the Lord God for ever 
and ever. For thine, O Lord, is the 
greatness, and the power, and the glory, 
and the victory, and the majesty; for 
all that is in the heaven and in the earth 
is thine ; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, 
and thou art exalted as head above all. 
Both riches and honour come of thee, 
and thou reignest over a]l; and in thine 
hand is power and might ; and in thine 
hand it is to make great and to give 
strength unto all. Now therefore, our 
God, we thank thee, and praise thy 
glorious name.^ For thou visitest the 
earth, and waterest it : thou greatly en- 
richest it with the river of God, which 

^ 1 Chron. 16 : 23-36. « 1 Chron. 29: 10-13. 



180 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

is fall of water: thou preparest them 
corn, when thou hast so provided for it. 
Thou waterest thereof abundantly : thou 
settlest the furrows thereof; thou makest 
it soft with showers: thou blessest the 
springing thereof Thou crownest the 
year with thy goodness ; and thy paths 
drop fatness. They drop upon the pas- 
tures of the wilderness: and the little 
hills rejoice on every side. The pastures 
are clothed with flocks; the valleys also 
are covered over with corn ; they shout 
for joy, they also sing.^ 



MAKE a joyful noise unto God, all 
ye lands : sing forth the honour of his 
name : make his praise glorious. Say 
unto God, How terrible art thou in thy 
works! through the greatness of thy 

iPs. 65: 9-13. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 181 

power shall thine enemies submit them- 
selves unto thee. All the earth shall 
worship thee, and shall sing unto thee ; 
they shall sing to thy name. Selah. 
Come and see the works of God : he is 
terrible in his doing toward the children 
of men. O bless our God, ye people, 
and make the voice of his praise to be 
heard : which holdeth our soul in life, 
and suffereth not our feet to be moved. 
For thou, O God, hast proved us : thou 
hast tried us, as silver is tried/ God be 
merciful unto us, and bless us ; and 
cause his face to shine upon us. Selah. 
That thy way may be known upon earth, 
thy saving health among all nations. 
Let the people praise thee, O God ; let 
all the people praise thee. O let the 
nations be glad and sing for joy : for 

^Ps. 66: 1-5,8-10. 
16 



182 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

thou shalt judge the people righteously, 
and govern the nations upon earth. 
Selah. Let the people praise thee, O 
God ; let all the people praise thee. Then 
shall the earth yield her increase; and 
God, even our own God, shall bless us. 
God shall bless us, and all the ends of 
the earth shall fear him.^ 



PRAISE ye the Lord : for it is good 
to sing praises unto our God ; for it is 
pleasant; and praise is comely. He 
healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth 
up their griefs. He telleth the number 
of the stars, he calleth them all by their 
names. Great is our Lord, and of great 
power : his understanding is infinite. 
The Lord lifteth up the meek : he cast- 
eth the wicked down to the ground. 

^ Ps. 67. 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 183 

Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving ; 
sing praise upon the harp unto our God : 
who covereth the heaven with clouds, 
who prepareth rain for the earth, who 
maketh grass to grow upon the moun- 
tains. He giveth to the beast his food, 
and to the young ravens which cry. He 
delighteth not in the strength of the 
horse : he taketh not pleasure in the 
legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure 
in them that fear him, in those that hope 
in his mercy. For he hath strengthened 
the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed 
thy children within thee. He maketh 
peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with 
the finest of the wheat. He sendeth forth 
his commandment upon earth : his word 
runneth very swiftly. He giveth snow 
like wool : he scattereth the hoar-frost 
like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like 
morsels : who can stand before his cold ? 



184 THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 

He sendeth out his word, and melteth 
them : he causeth his wind to blow, and 
the waters flow. He hath not dealt so 
with any nation : and as for his judg- 
ments, they have not known them. 
Praise ye the Lord.' Happy is that peo- 
ple, that is in such a case : yea, happy 
is that people, whose God is the Lord."" 



PRAISE ye the Lord. Praise ye 
the Lord from the heavens : praise him 
in the heights. Praise ye him, all his 
angels : praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise 
ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all 
ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heaven 
of heavens, and ye waters that be above 
the heavens. Let them praise the name 
of the Lord: for he commanded, and 
they were created. He hath also esta- 

' Ps. 147: 1, 3-11, 13-18, 20. ' Ps. 144: 15 



THE BIBLE PRAYER-BOOK. 185 

blished them for ever and ever : he hath 
made a decree vrhich they shall not pass. 
Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dra- 
gons and all deeps: fire, and hail; snow 
and vapour: stormy wind fulfilling his 
word: mountains, and all hills; fruitful 
trees, and all cedars; beasts, and all 
cattle ; creeping things, and flying fowl : 
kings of the earth and all people : princes, 
and all judges of the earth: both young 
men, and maidens: old men and child- 
ren: let them praise the name of the 
Lord: for his name alone is exalted; his 
glory is above the earth and heaven.^ 
Therefore let every thing that hath breath 
praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord."^ 

iPs. 148: 1-13 ^Ps. 150: 6. 

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